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Khosa JS, Lee R, Bräuning S, Lord J, Pither-Joyce M, McCallum J, Macknight RC. Doubled Haploid 'CUDH2107' as a Reference for Bulb Onion (Allium cepa L.) Research: Development of a Transcriptome Catalogue and Identification of Transcripts Associated with Male Fertility. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166568. [PMID: 27861615 PMCID: PMC5115759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers working on model plants have derived great benefit from developing genomic and genetic resources using ‘reference’ genotypes. Onion has a large and highly heterozygous genome making the sharing of germplasm and analysis of sequencing data complicated. To simplify the discovery and analysis of genes underlying important onion traits, we are promoting the use of the homozygous double haploid line ‘CUDH2107’ by the onion research community. In the present investigation, we performed transcriptome sequencing on vegetative and reproductive tissues of CUDH2107 to develop a multi-organ reference transcriptome catalogue. A total of 396 million 100 base pair paired reads was assembled using the Trinity pipeline, resulting in 271,665 transcript contigs. This dataset was analysed for gene ontology and transcripts were classified on the basis of putative biological processes, molecular function and cellular localization. Significant differences were observed in transcript expression profiles between different tissues. To demonstrate the utility of our CUDH2107 transcriptome catalogue for understanding the genetic and molecular basis of various traits, we identified orthologues of rice genes involved in male fertility and flower development. These genes provide an excellent starting point for studying the molecular regulation, and the engineering of reproductive traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robyn Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sophia Bräuning
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Botany, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Janice Lord
- Department of Botany, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - John McCallum
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Richard C. Macknight
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
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de Oliveira RR, Cesarino I, Mazzafera P, Dornelas MC. Flower development in Coffea arabica L.: new insights into MADS-box genes. PLANT REPRODUCTION 2014; 27:79-94. [PMID: 24715004 DOI: 10.1007/s00497-014-0242-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Coffea arabica L. shows peculiar characteristics during reproductive development, such as flowering asynchrony, periods of floral bud dormancy, mucilage secretion and epipetalous stamens. The MADS-box transcription factors are known to control several developmental processes in plants, including flower and fruit development. Significant differences are found among plant species regarding reproductive development and little is known about the role of MADS-box genes in Coffea reproductive development. Thus, we used anatomical and comparative molecular analyses to explore the flowering process in coffee. The main morphological changes during flower development in coffee were observed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Flowering asynchrony seems to be related to two independent processes: the asynchronous development of distinct buds before the reproductive induction and the asynchronous development of floral meristems within each bud after the reproductive induction. A total of 23 C. arabica MADS-box genes were characterized by sequence comparison with putative Arabidopsis orthologs and their expression profiles were analyzed by RT-PCR in different tissues. The expression of the ABC model orthologs in Coffea during floral development was determined by in situ hybridization. The APETALA1 (AP1) ortholog is expressed only late in the perianth, which is also observed for the APETALA3 and TM6 orthologs. Conversely, the PISTILLATA ortholog is widely expressed in early stages, but restrict to stamens and carpels in later stages of flower development, while the expression of the AGAMOUS ortholog is always restricted to fertile organs. The AP1 and PISTILLATA orthologs are also expressed at specific floral organs, such as bracts and colleters, respectively, suggesting a potential role in the development of such structures. Altogether, the results from our comprehensive expression analyses showed significant differences between the spatiotemporal expression profiles of C. arabica MADS-box genes and their orthologs, which suggests differential functionalization in coffee. Moreover, these differences might also partially explain the particular characteristics of floral development in coffee, such as mucilage secretion and formation of epipetalous stamens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Ricon de Oliveira
- Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Cidade Universitária "Zeferino Vaz", Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil,
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Li X, Liu C, Da F, Ma N, Shen H. Expression pattern of Class B gene PAP3 in flower development of pepper. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:24643-55. [PMID: 24351839 PMCID: PMC3876133 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141224643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Revised: 11/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Class B gene APETALA3 (AP3) plays a key role in the development of petals and stamens. Here, we investigated the expression pattern of PAP3 gene (genbank accession number: HM104635) in the buds of cytoplasmic male sterility line 121A and its near-isogenic restorer line 121C at four developmental stages and analyzed the possible association between Class B genes and cytoplasmic male sterility of pepper. Semi-quantitative PCR and quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) as well as RNA in situ hybridization showed increased expression of PAP3 at late phase of anther development and its higher expression in restorer line compared with sterility line indicating PAP3’s role at late developmental stage of anther and suppressed expression in sterility line. RNA in situ hybridization showed Class B gene features: high abundance in stamen and petal; lower expression in pistil; no expression in sepal. Results of transient expression in onion epidermal cells also showed PAP3 localized in the nucleus, which is consistent with the expression pattern of transcription factors of MADS-box gene family.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Huolin Shen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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Koo HJ, McDowell ET, Ma X, Greer KA, Kapteyn J, Xie Z, Descour A, Kim H, Yu Y, Kudrna D, Wing RA, Soderlund CA, Gang DR. Ginger and turmeric expressed sequence tags identify signature genes for rhizome identity and development and the biosynthesis of curcuminoids, gingerols and terpenoids. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2013; 13:27. [PMID: 23410187 PMCID: PMC3608961 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-13-27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) accumulate important pharmacologically active metabolites at high levels in their rhizomes. Despite their importance, relatively little is known regarding gene expression in the rhizomes of ginger and turmeric. RESULTS In order to identify rhizome-enriched genes and genes encoding specialized metabolism enzymes and pathway regulators, we evaluated an assembled collection of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from eight different ginger and turmeric tissues. Comparisons to publicly available sorghum rhizome ESTs revealed a total of 777 gene transcripts expressed in ginger/turmeric and sorghum rhizomes but apparently absent from other tissues. The list of rhizome-specific transcripts was enriched for genes associated with regulation of tissue growth, development, and transcription. In particular, transcripts for ethylene response factors and AUX/IAA proteins appeared to accumulate in patterns mirroring results from previous studies regarding rhizome growth responses to exogenous applications of auxin and ethylene. Thus, these genes may play important roles in defining rhizome growth and development. Additional associations were made for ginger and turmeric rhizome-enriched MADS box transcription factors, their putative rhizome-enriched homologs in sorghum, and rhizomatous QTLs in rice. Additionally, analysis of both primary and specialized metabolism genes indicates that ginger and turmeric rhizomes are primarily devoted to the utilization of leaf supplied sucrose for the production and/or storage of specialized metabolites associated with the phenylpropanoid pathway and putative type III polyketide synthase gene products. This finding reinforces earlier hypotheses predicting roles of this enzyme class in the production of curcuminoids and gingerols. CONCLUSION A significant set of genes were found to be exclusively or preferentially expressed in the rhizome of ginger and turmeric. Specific transcription factors and other regulatory genes were found that were common to the two species and that are excellent candidates for involvement in rhizome growth, differentiation and development. Large classes of enzymes involved in specialized metabolism were also found to have apparent tissue-specific expression, suggesting that gene expression itself may play an important role in regulating metabolite production in these plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Jo Koo
- School of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Present address: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, PO Box 85800, San Diego, CA, 92186, USA
| | - Eric T McDowell
- School of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Xiaoqiang Ma
- School of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Present address: XenoBiotic Laboratories, Inc., Morgan Ln 107, Plainsboro, NJ, 08536, USA
| | - Kevin A Greer
- Arizona Genomics Computational Laboratory and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Present address: Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Jeremy Kapteyn
- School of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Zhengzhi Xie
- School of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Present address: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Anne Descour
- Arizona Genomics Computational Laboratory and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - HyeRan Kim
- School of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Arizona Genomics Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Present address: Plant Genome Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, 305-803, South Korea
| | - Yeisoo Yu
- School of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Arizona Genomics Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - David Kudrna
- School of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Arizona Genomics Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Rod A Wing
- School of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Arizona Genomics Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Carol A Soderlund
- Arizona Genomics Computational Laboratory and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - David R Gang
- School of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, P.O. Box 646340, Pullman, WA, 99164-6340, USA
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Zhang J, Guo C, Liu G, Li Z, Li X, Bao M. Genetic alteration with variable intron/exon organization amongst five PI-homoeologous genes in Platanus acerifolia. Gene 2011; 473:82-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2010.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2010] [Revised: 11/04/2010] [Accepted: 11/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Lü S, Fan Y, Liu L, Liu S, Zhang W, Meng Z. Ectopic expression of TrPI, a Taihangia rupestris (Rosaceae) PI ortholog, causes modifications of vegetative architecture in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2010; 167:1613-21. [PMID: 20828868 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2010.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2009] [Revised: 05/30/2010] [Accepted: 06/06/2010] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
In eudicotyledonous model plants, the B-function genes encode a pair of partner MADS-domain proteins, APETALA3 (AP3) and PISTILLATA (PI) in Arabidopsis and DEFICIENS (DEF) and GLOBOSA (GLO) in Antirrhinum. These proteins, which must form heterodimers to function, are required to specify petal and stamen identity during flower development. Here, we report cloning and characterization of TrPI (Taihangia rupestris PISTILLATA), a PI/GLO-like gene from the core eudicot species Taihangia rupestris (Rosaceae). DNA gel blot analysis showed that TrPI is a single copy gene in the T. rupestris genome. Quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization analyses revealed that TrPI is transcribed in both the vegetative and reproductive organs at different levels. Ectopic expression of TrPI in Arabidopsis caused severe modifications in vegetative plant architecture, including rosette leaves and cauline leaves arranged in a non-spiral phyllotaxy, and a flattened primary inflorescence stem that produced two or three offshoots at the base, middle or top. Moreover, we show that the TrPI gene is capable of rescuing pi-1 mutant phenotypes. Yeast two-hybrid assays showed that TrPI forms homodimers. Taken together, these results show that TrPI might function in regulating plant architecture in addition to its function as a floral organ identity gene in T. rupestris, suggesting that the TrPI protein has biochemical features that distinguish it from the well-studied orthologs, PI and GLO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanhua Lü
- School of Agriculture, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
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Poupin MJ, Federici F, Medina C, Matus JT, Timmermann T, Arce-Johnson P. Isolation of the three grape sub-lineages of B-class MADS-box TM6, PISTILLATA and APETALA3 genes which are differentially expressed during flower and fruit development. Gene 2007; 404:10-24. [PMID: 17920788 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2007.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2007] [Revised: 08/07/2007] [Accepted: 08/09/2007] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The B class of MADS-box floral homeotic genes specifies petal and stamen identity in angiosperms. While this group is one of the most studied in herbaceous plant species, it has remained largely uncharacterized in woody species such as grapevine. Although the B class PI/GLO and AP3/DEF clades have been extensively characterized in model species, the role of the TM6 subgroup within the AP3 clade is not completely understood, since it is absent in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, the coding regions of VvTM6 and VvAP3 and the genomic sequence of VvPI, were cloned. VvPI and AtPI were confirmed to be functional homologues by means of complementation of the pi Arabidopsis mutant. Expression analysis revealed that VvPI and VvAP3 transcripts are restricted almost exclusively to inflorescences, although VvPI was detected at low levels in leaves and roots. VvTM6 expresses throughout the plant, with higher levels in flowers and berries. A detailed chronological study of grape flower progression by light microscopy and temporal expression analysis throughout early and late developmental stages, revealed that VvPI expression increases during pollen maturation and decreases between the events of pollination and fertilization, before the cap fall. On the other hand, VvTM6 is expressed in the last stage of anther development. Specific expression of VvAP3 and VvPI was detected in petals and stamens within the flower, while VvTM6 was also expressed in carpels. Moreover, this work provides the first evidence for expression of a TM6-like gene throughout fruit growth and ripening. Even if these genes belong to the same genetic class they could act in different periods and/or tissues during reproductive organ development.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Josefina Poupin
- Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Adam H, Jouannic S, Morcillo F, Verdeil JL, Duval Y, Tregear JW. Determination of flower structure in Elaeis guineensis: do palms use the same homeotic genes as other species? ANNALS OF BOTANY 2007; 100:1-12. [PMID: 17355996 PMCID: PMC2735288 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcm027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
AIMS In this article a review is made of data recently obtained on the structural diversity and possible functions of MADS box genes in the determination of flower structure in the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). MADS box genes play a dominant role in the ABC model established to explain how floral organ identity is determined in model dicotyledon species such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Antirrhinum majus. In the monocotyledons, although there appears to be a broad general conservation of ABC gene functions, the model itself needs to be adapted in some cases, notably for certain species which produce flowers with sepals and petals of similar appearance. For the moment, ABC genes remain unstudied in a number of key monocot clades, so only a partial picture is available for the Liliopsida as a whole. The aim of this article is to summarize data recently obtained for the African oil palm Elaeis guineensis, a member of the family Arecaceae (Arecales), and to discuss their significance with respect to knowledge gained from other Angiosperm groups, particularly within the monocotyledons. SCOPE The essential details of reproductive development in oil palm are discussed and an overview is provided of the structural and functional characterization of MADS box genes likely to play a homeotic role in flower development in this species. CONCLUSIONS The structural and functional data provide evidence for a general conservation of the generic 'ABC' model in oil palm, rather than the 'modified ABC model' proposed for some other monocot species which produce homochlamydeous flowers (i.e. with morphologically similar organs in both perianth whorls), such as members of the Liliales. Our oil palm data therefore follow a similar pattern to those obtained for other Commelinid species in the orders Commelinales and Poales. The significance of these findings is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene Adam
- IRD/CIRAD Palm Group, UMR 1098, Centre IRD Montpellier, BP 64501, 911, avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Stefan Jouannic
- IRD/CIRAD Palm Group, UMR 1098, Centre IRD Montpellier, BP 64501, 911, avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Fabienne Morcillo
- IRD/CIRAD Palm Group, UMR 1098, Centre IRD Montpellier, BP 64501, 911, avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Jean-Luc Verdeil
- CIRAD-AMIS, UMR 1098, Avenue Agropolis, 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Yves Duval
- IRD/CIRAD Palm Group, UMR 1098, Centre IRD Montpellier, BP 64501, 911, avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - James W. Tregear
- IRD/CIRAD Palm Group, UMR 1098, Centre IRD Montpellier, BP 64501, 911, avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
- For correspondence. E-mail:
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Zahn LM, Leebens-Mack J, DePamphilis CW, Ma H, Theissen G. To B or Not to B a flower: the role of DEFICIENS and GLOBOSA orthologs in the evolution of the angiosperms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 96:225-40. [PMID: 15695551 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esi033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
DEFICIENS (DEF) and GLOBOSA (GLO) function in petal and stamen organ identity in Antirrhinum and are orthologs of APETALA3 and PISTILLATA in Arabidopsis. These genes are known as B-function genes for their role in the ABC genetic model of floral organ identity. Phylogenetic analyses show that DEF and GLO are closely related paralogs, having originated from a gene duplication event after the separation of the lineages leading to the extant gymnosperms and the extant angiosperms. Several additional gene duplications followed, providing multiple potential opportunities for functional divergence. In most angiosperms studied to date, genes in the DEF/GLO MADS-box subfamily are expressed in the petals and stamens during flower development. However, in some angiosperms, the expression of DEF and GLO orthologs are occasionally observed in the first and fourth whorls of flowers or in nonfloral organs, where their function is unknown. In this article we review what is known about function, phylogeny, and expression in the DEF/GLO subfamily to examine their evolution in the angiosperms. Our analyses demonstrate that although the primary role of the DEF/GLO subfamily appears to be in specifying the stamens and inner perianth, several examples of potential sub- and neofunctionalization are observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Zahn
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Evolutionary Genetics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Dias BFDO, Simões-Araújo JL, Russo CA, Margis R, Alves-Ferreira M. Unravelling MADS-box gene family in Eucalyptus spp.: a starting point to an understanding of their developmental role in trees. Genet Mol Biol 2005. [DOI: 10.1590/s1415-47572005000400004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rogério Margis
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Pesquet E, Barbier O, Ranocha P, Jauneau A, Goffner D. Multiple gene detection by in situ RT-PCR in isolated plant cells and tissues. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2004; 39:947-59. [PMID: 15341636 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2004.02170.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
With the number of functional genomic approaches in plant biology increasing daily, the demand for rapid and reliable RNA localization techniques for gene characterization is being felt. We present herein a novel, liquid phase in situ RT-PCR (IS-RT-PCR) protocol using a combination of gene-specific fluorescent primers and spectral confocal microscopy to localize target RNA in epicotyl sections and xylogenic suspension cultures of Zinnia elegans. Potential sources of artefacts from fixation to gene detection were systematically eliminated using both fluorescent primers and nucleotides for 18S rRNA gene detection, resulting in a set of optimal parameters for IS-RT-PCR that may be readily adapted to any target gene. By judiciously choosing fluorescent primers with non-overlapping fluorochromes, we have shown that our technique is readily adapted to multiplex IS-RT-PCR, enabling the simultaneous localization of more than one gene within a complex tissue or heterogeneous cell population. A 6-carboxy-2',4,4',5',7,7'-hexachlorofluorescein (6-HEX)-labelled primer and a tetrachloro-6-carboxy-fluorescein (TET)-labelled primer were designed for two marker genes associated with programmed cell death in tracheary elements (TEs): an endonuclease (Zen1) and a cysteine protease (ZcP4), respectively. An additional Cyan5 (Cy5)-labelled primer was used to monitor 18SrRNA expression. As expected, the 18S signal was constitutively expressed throughout epicotyls sections and living cells in xylogenic in vitro cultures, whereas Zen1 and ZcP4 were co-localized in forming TEs both in planta and in vitro. Analogous to clustering analysis of gene expression using microarrays to elucidate common metabolic pathways and developmental processes, this novel technique is perfectly adapted to gaining a better understanding of gene function via the coordinated expression of genes in specific cell types of complex tissues and cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edouard Pesquet
- UMR CNRS/UPS 5546, Surfaces Cellulaires et Signalisation chez les Végétaux, BP17 Auzeville, 31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
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