Current perspectives on shoot branching regulation

Shoot branching is regulated by the complex interactions among hormones, development, and environmental factors. Recent studies into the regulatory mechanisms of shoot branching have focused on strigolactones,which is a new area of investigation in shoot branching regulation. Elucidation of the function of the D53 gene has allowed exploration of detailed mechanisms of action of strigolactones in regulating shoot branching. In addition,the recent discovery that sucrose is key for axillary bud release has challenged the established auxin theory, in which auxin is the principal agent in the control of apical dominance. These developments increase our understanding of branching control and indicate that regulation of shoot branching involves a complex network. Here, we first summarize advances in the systematic regulatory network of plant shoot branching based on current information. Then we describe recent developments in the synthesis and signal transduction of strigolactones.Based on these considerations, we further summarize the plant shoot branching regulatory network, including long distance systemic signals and local gene activity mediated by strigolactones following perception of external environmental signals, such as shading, in order to provide a comprehensive overview of plant shoot branching.     

甘蔗独脚金内酯生物合成基因ScCCD8的克隆与表达分析

【目的】克隆甘蔗的ScCCD8,分析其序列特征并预测其功能,研究在甘蔗不同组织部位、不同胁迫处理条件以及不同生长时间点ScCCD8的表达情况,为该基因在甘蔗基因工程育种中的应用提供理论支撑。【方法】以NCBI中检索的甘蔗CCD8同源片段EST序列为模板设计引物,扩增甘蔗CCD8的片段,采用RACE和RT-PCR技术分别从甘蔗品种新台糖22号中克隆CCD8的5′、3′目的片段和全长cDNA序列,以生物信息学方法对序列进行预测分析,利用qRT-PCR方法分析CCD8在不同组织、不同逆境胁迫条件下和不同生长时间点的表达特性。【结果】克隆获得甘蔗CCD8,命名为ScCCD8,GenBank登录号为KP742973.1。该cDNA全长2 016 bp,含有1个1 623 bp的完整开放阅读框（ORF）,编码540个氨基酸,编码的蛋白质分子量为59.534 kD。生物信息学分析表明ScCCD8编码的蛋白是定位于叶绿体上的非分泌性蛋白,不是典型的跨膜蛋白,没有信号肽位点。存在着多个糖基化位点和磷酸化位点等活性位点。序列分析表明,ScCCD8与其他植物的CCD8蛋白有很高的相似性。系统进化树分析显示,甘蔗ScCCD8与高粱的CCD8蛋白亲缘关系较近。实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）分析表明,ScCCD8的表达具有组织特异性,在根中的表达量最高,是老叶中表达量的18倍。其在模拟重度干旱胁迫（20% PEG）、盐胁迫（200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl）、磷缺乏（1/8 mmol·L^-1）和营养缺乏(纯水培养)4种胁迫处理下,茎尖中的ScCCD8均被诱导表达,且在处理24 h以后,ScCCD8的表达量增加较为明显。在不同生长时期,ScCCD8在甘蔗不同生长时期的茎尖中均有表达,且在幼苗期的表达量高于萌芽期和分蘖期。【结论】从甘蔗品种ROC22中克隆获得的甘蔗独脚金内酯生物合成关键基因ScCCD8是CCD8基因家族成员,推测ScCCD8可能与甘蔗SLs响应逆境胁迫有关。