Complexes of MADS-box proteins are sufficient to convert leaves into floral organs

Genetic studies, using floral homeotic mutants, have led to the ABC model of flower development. This model proposes that the combinatorial action of three sets of genes, the A, B and C function genes, specify the four floral organs (sepals, petals, stamens and carpels) in the concentric floral whorls. However, attempts to convert vegetative organs into floral organs by altering the expression of ABC genes have been unsuccessful. Here we show that the class B proteins of Arabidopsis, PISTILLATA (PI) and APETALA3 (AP3), interact with APETALA1 (AP1, a class A protein) and SEPALLATA3 (SEP3, previously AGL9), and with AGAMOUS (AG, a class C protein) through SEP3. We also show that vegetative leaves of triply transgenic plants, 35S::PI;35S::AP3;35S::AP1 or 35S::PI;35S::AP3;35S::SEP3, are transformed into petaloid organs and that those of 35S::PI;35S::AP3;35S::SEP3;35S::AG are transformed into staminoid organs. Our findings indicate that the formation of ternary and quaternary complexes of ABC proteins may be the molecular basis of the ABC model, and that the flower-specific expression of SEP3 restricts the action of the ABC genes to the flower.     

B and C floral organ identity functions require SEPALLATA MADS-box genes

Abnormal flowers have been recognized for thousands of years, but only in the past decade have the mysteries of flower development begun to unfold. Among these mysteries is the differentiation of four distinct organ types (sepals, petals, stamens and carpels), each of which may be a modified leaf. A landmark accomplishment in plant developmental biology is the ABC model of flower organ identity. This simple model provides a conceptual framework for explaining how the individual and combined activities of the ABC genes produce the four organ types of the typical eudicot flower. Here we show that the activities of the B and C organ-identity genes require the activities of three closely related and functionally redundant MADS-box genes, SEPALLATA1/2/3 (SEP1/2/3). Triple mutant Arabidopsis plants lacking the activity of all three SEP genes produce flowers in which all organs develop as sepals. Thus SEP1/2/3 are a class of organ-identity genes that is required for development of petals, stamens and carpels.     

Angiosperm phylogeny inferred from multiple genes as a tool for comparative biology

Comparative biology requires a firm phylogenetic foundation to uncover and understand patterns of diversification and evaluate hypotheses of the processes responsible for these patterns. In the angiosperms, studies of diversification in floral form, stamen organization, reproductive biology, photosynthetic pathway, nitrogen-fixing symbioses and life histories have relied on either explicit or implied phylogenetic trees. Furthermore, to understand the evolution of specific genes and gene families, evaluate the extent of conservation of plant genomes and make proper sense of the huge volume of molecular genetic data available for model organisms such as Arabidopsis, Antirrhinum, maize, rice and wheat, a phylogenetic perspective is necessary. Here we report the results of parsimony analyses of DNA sequences of the plastid genes rbcL and atpB and the nuclear 18S rDNA for 560 species of angiosperms and seven non-flowering seed plants and show a well-resolved and well-supported phylogenetic tree for the angiosperms for use in comparative biology.     

簸箕柳AP2/ERF家族基因的全基因组分析

为了研究簸箕柳AP2/ERF转录因子家族的成员和分类,及后续深入探究其在簸箕柳生长发育过程中的功能,本文基于簸箕柳基因组数据,利用生物信息学技术和方法,对簸箕柳的AP2/ERF家族基因进行鉴定、分类及染色体定位,并对其理化性质、基因结构、保守结构域、表达模式等进行分析.结果表明,簸箕柳含有178个AP2/ERF家族基因,并根据AP2/ERF保守域的数量与拟南芥AP2/ERF家族基因的进化关系将其划分成AP2、ERF、RAV和Soloist亚家族4类.此外组织表达模式分析结果显示,簸箕柳AP2/ERF家族基因的表达具有明显的组织特异性,且在leaf、root、shoot、flower中表达较强,在其他组织中表达较弱.     

A gene expression map of human chromosome 21 orthologues in the mouse

The DNA sequence of human chromosome 21 (HSA21) has opened the route for a systematic molecular characterization of all of its genes. Trisomy 21 is associated with Down's syndrome, the most common genetic cause of mental retardation in humans. The phenotype includes various organ dysmorphies, stereotypic craniofacial anomalies and brain malformations. Molecular analysis of congenital aneuploidies poses a particular challenge because the aneuploid region contains many protein-coding genes whose function is unknown. One essential step towards understanding their function is to analyse mRNA expression patterns at key stages of organism development. Seminal works in flies, frogs and mice showed that genes whose expression is restricted spatially and/or temporally are often linked with specific ontogenic processes. Here we describe expression profiles of mouse orthologues to HSA21 genes by a combination of large-scale mRNA in situ hybridization at critical stages of embryonic and brain development and in silico (computed) mining of expressed sequence tags. This chromosome-scale expression annotation associates many of the genes tested with a potential biological role and suggests candidates for the pathogenesis of Down's syndrome.     

Tobacco floral homeotic gene homologues: partial sequence and expression pattern

Using PCR approach, three cDNA sequences, NTSQUA4, NTSQUA12 and NTSQUA15, were amplified from first_strand cDNAs of wild tobacco flower buds and identified as homologues for floral homeotic genes. All the three clones contained domains that a floral homeotic gene generally had, i.e. I domain, K domain and C_terminal domain except MADS_ box since the PCR primers were designed beyond this region. In addition, the amino acid sequences of them showed 50%-60% identity (70%-80% similarity) with the known floral organ identity class A gene AP1 and SQUA, possibly indicating that they are class A_like genes. NTSQUA4 and NTSQUA412 shared 95% identity in their amino acid sequence, while NTSQUA415 exhibited only 47% identity as compared with NTSQUA4 and NTSQUA12. Within tobacco flower, NTSQUA4 was expressed in sepals, petals and carpels, but not in stamens, while NTSQUA15 was expressed in every whorl of the flower. The possible functions of these genes are discussed.     

重瓣百合LiSEP3基因克隆与表达分析

【目的】克隆百合LiSEP3基因并确定其在百合不同地上器官及不同花瓣中的表达差异,探讨SEP3基因在重瓣花中的表达模式。【方法】利用RACE方法从重瓣百合品种‘比罗尼卡’中克隆得到LiSEP3基因核苷酸序列,利用SMART软件对其蛋白结构进行分析,以MEGA 5.0软件进行系统进化树分析,用基因枪轰击法进行亚细胞定位分析,采用荧光定量PCR进行不同地上器官及不同花瓣中LiSEP3基因表达差异分析。 【结果】LiSEP3基因属于MADS-box家族E类基因,其开放阅读框为729 bp,共编码242个氨基酸; LiSEP3基因编码的蛋白具有典型的MADS结构域、K-box区及2个SEP基序; LiSEP3与同为单子叶植物的六出花的SEP3亲缘关系最近; LiSEP3蛋白定位于细胞核中; LiSEP3基因在花中的相对表达量最高,在茎、叶中几无表达; 在1～7轮花瓣中均能检测到LiSEP3表达,且位于最内侧的第7轮花瓣中相对表达量最高。 【结论】LiSEP3基因属于MADS-box家族E类基因,主要在花中表达,其中在最内侧花瓣中表达量最高,其表达模式与双子叶植物花中SEP3基因表达模式存在不同。     

Electrical signals control wound healing through phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase-gamma and PTEN

Wound healing is essential for maintaining the integrity of multicellular organisms. In every species studied, disruption of an epithelial layer instantaneously generates endogenous electric fields, which have been proposed to be important in wound healing. The identity of signalling pathways that guide both cell migration to electric cues and electric-field-induced wound healing have not been elucidated at a genetic level. Here we show that electric fields, of a strength equal to those detected endogenously, direct cell migration during wound healing as a prime directional cue. Manipulation of endogenous wound electric fields affects wound healing in vivo. Electric stimulation triggers activation of Src and inositol-phospholipid signalling, which polarizes in the direction of cell migration. Notably, genetic disruption of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase-gamma (PI(3)Kgamma) decreases electric-field-induced signalling and abolishes directed movements of healing epithelium in response to electric signals. Deletion of the tumour suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) enhances signalling and electrotactic responses. These data identify genes essential for electrical-signal-induced wound healing and show that PI(3)Kgamma and PTEN control electrotaxis.     

簸箕柳SPL基因家族分析

【目的】确定SPL基因家族在不同物种之间的选择性保留和丢失情况,为后续研究被子植物花发育提供参考。【方法】通过在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)、毛果杨(Populus trichocarpa)、簸箕柳(Salix suchowensis)、葡萄(Vitis vinifera)、番木瓜(Carica papaya)、水稻(Oryza sativa)6种被子植物基因组中查找SPL结构域,寻找6个物种的SPL同源序列。对所找到的SPL序列进行BLASTN比对鉴定同源基因类型。使用自编Perl脚本结合KaKs_Calculator计算SPL同源基因的非同义突变(K_a)以及同义突变(K_s)值,采用共线性分析确定该基因家族的复制和扩张方式。【结果】在6种被子植物基因组中,共发现120个SPL基因。根据种内和种间旁系同源、直系同源基因以及这些同源基因选择压的计算显示:杨柳科SPL同源基因最多,共有旁系同源基因24对,直系同源基因50对; 番木瓜没有旁系同源基因。6个物种中,木本植物比草本植物直系同源基因更多,双子叶植物比单子叶植物直系同源基因更多; 所有旁系同源和直系同源基因的K_a/K_s值均小于1。系统发育树的分析结果与基因同源性分析基本吻合,证明了这两种分析方法具有较高的可靠性。此次研究选取了簸箕柳同一植株上开花和不开花的枝条进行了转录组测序分析,差异表达分析发现了1个SPL基因(willow_GLEAN_10025160)在两种枝条的转录组中表达差异显著(P≤0.01),其在开花枝条中的表达量显著高于未开花枝条,该基因被选为SPL基因家族中参与簸箕柳开花调控的候选基因。【结论】通过对6个物种SPL基因家族的分析,发现6个物种中所有直系同源和旁系同源基因都经历了纯化选择(K_a/K_s<1),基因功能保守。这6个物种除了经历过全基因组复制事件,还发生过大规模的基因丢失或者通过其他方式产生的基因扩张,阐明了它们在进化历史上的复制事件及SPL基因在不同物种中的选择性保留与丢失情况,为进一步研究其在调控簸箕柳开花中的作用提供了有力证据。     

基于叶绿体基因组全序列分析真叶植物叶绿体基因的适应性进化

 真叶植物包括蕨类、裸子植物和被子植物。迄今已积累有较为丰富的真叶植物叶绿体基因组全序列数据。选取了29种真叶植物的叶绿体基因组全序列,采用PAML 软件基于位点间可变ω模型,分别分析了蕨类、裸子植物和被子植物叶绿体基因的适应性进化。结果显示：① 蕨类、裸子植物和被子植物各有6.5%、7.5%和19.2%的叶绿体基因受正选择作用;被子植物经历正选择的叶绿体基因明显比蕨类和裸子植物为多;② 被正选择作用的叶绿体基因主要是遗传系统和光合系统基因,它们的编码产物涉及叶绿体蛋白质合成、基因转录、能量转化与调节及光合作用等过程。推测叶绿体功能基因可能在真叶植物对陆生生态环境的适应过程中起着重要作用。     

Colorectal carcinomas in mice lacking the catalytic subunit of PI(3)Kgamma

Phosphoinositide-3-OH kinases (PI(3)Ks) constitute a family of evolutionarily conserved lipid kinases that regulate a vast array of fundamental cellular responses, including proliferation, transformation, differentiation and protection from apoptosis. PI(3)K-mediated activation of the cell survival kinase PKB/Akt, and negative regulation of PI(3)K signalling by the tumour suppressor PTEN (refs 3, 4) are key regulatory events in tumorigenesis. Thus, a model has arisen that PI(3)Ks promote development of cancers. Here we report that genetic inactivation of the p110gamma catalytic subunit of PI(3)Kgamma (ref. 8) leads to development of invasive colorectal adenocarcinomas in mice. In humans, p110gamma protein expression is lost in primary colorectal adenocarcinomas from patients and in colon cancer cell lines. Overexpression of wild-type or kinase-dead p110gamma in human colon cancer cells with mutations of the tumour suppressors APC and p53, or the oncogenes beta-catenin and Ki-ras, suppressed tumorigenesis. Thus, loss of p110gamma in mice leads to spontaneous, malignant epithelial tumours in the colorectum and p110gamma can block the growth of human colon cancer cells.     

柽柳 GF14基因的克隆与表达分析

生物体中普遍存在的14-3-3蛋白(也称GF14蛋白)能够参与植物的一系列应激响应过程。笔者以柽柳(Tamarix hispida)为材料,从6个柽柳cDNA文库中分离出5条GF14 基因,依次命名为ThGF14a—ThGF14e。对5条GF14 基因进行生物信息学研究,并利用qRT-PCR技术对胁迫处理后的基因表达模式进行分析。结果显示:ThGF14 蛋白除了N和C末端的氨基酸外均含有一个高度保守的14-3-3 结构域,这些ThGF14蛋白分属于ε-like 和 non-ε 两种类型; 大多数 ThGF14基因在NaCl、PEG、4 ℃、CdCl₂处理不同时间(6,24,48 和 72 h)的叶和根中能够被诱导表达(表达量>2倍),且不同基因间对非生物胁迫应答表现出差异,其中ThGF14c 基因在叶和根中不同胁迫条件下的表达水平均最高。研究表明,柽柳 ThGF14 基因能够参与植物的非生物胁迫应答响应过程。     

Genetic mechanisms and constraints governing the evolution of correlated traits in drosophilid flies

Some morphological traits differ greatly between related species, but it is not clear whether diversity evolves through changes in the same genes and whether similar, independent (that is, convergent) changes occur by the same mechanism. Pigmentation in fruitflies presents an attractive opportunity to explore these issues because pigmentation patterns are diverse, similar patterns have arisen in independent clades, and numerous genes governing their formation have been identified in Drosophila melanogaster. Here we show that both evolutionary diversification and convergence can be due to evolution at the same locus, by comparing abdominal pigmentation and trichome patterns and the expression of Bric-à-brac2 (Bab2), which regulates both traits in D. melanogaster, in 13 species representing the major clades of the subfamily Drosophilinae. Modifications of Bab2 expression are frequently correlated with diverse pigmentation and trichome patterns that evolved independently in multiple lineages. In a few species, Bab2 expression is not correlated with changes in pigmentation but is correlated with a conserved pattern of trichomes, indicating that this locus can be circumvented to evolve new patterns when a correlated trait is under different constraints.     

Expression of chromatin modification genes in organs of cloned cattle that died within hours after birth

Several mammalian species including sheep[1,2], bo- vine[3], goats[4], mice[5], pigs[6], cat[7] and rabbits[8], have been successfully cloned by somatic nuclear transfer (NT), but the efficiency of this process is poor, with only a small proportion of the…     

植物中的DREB类转录因子

DREB转录因子属于AP2/EREBP转录因子家族.AP2/EREBP转录因子是特异存在于植物中,与植物发育密切相关的一类转录因子的总称.该家族有五个亚家族,其家族成员的蛋白质序列均含有保守的AP2 domain.其中,DREB转录因子特异地与DRE顺式作用元件相结合,在调节低温,干旱和高盐等胁迫反应时具有重要作用.一个DREB转录因子可以调控下游的多个抗逆基因,从而使植物产生抗逆性.植物抗逆反应是一个非常复杂的过程,目前人们对其信号转导正在进行进一步的探究.