Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (4): 266-277.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2024-0894

Previous Articles    

Cloning and Expression Analysis of AP2/ERF Transcription Factor NtESR2 in Nicotiana tabacum

LU Yong-jie1(), XIA Hai-qian2, LI Yong-ling1, ZHANG Wen-jian3, YU Jing2, ZHAO Hui-na2, WANG Bing2, XU Ben-bo1, LEI Bo2()   

  1. 1.College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Waterlogging Disaster and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Jingzhou 434025
    2.Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Science, Guiyang 550081
    3.Zunyi Tobacco Company Fenggang Branch, Zunyi 563000
  • Received:2024-09-14 Online:2025-04-26 Published:2025-04-25
  • Contact: LEI Bo E-mail:lyj_luyongjie@163.com;leibo_1981@163.com

Abstract:

Objective ESR2 gene in the AP2/ERF (APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor) transcription factor family plays an important role in the regulation of plant leaf bud development. To clone the tobacco NtESR2 gene and analyze its function, we aimed to provide a target gene for the regulation of tobacco leaf bud development. Method NtESR2 gene was cloned from cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) by homologous cloning, and its bioinformatics, gene expression, hormone response, and subcellular localization analysis were performed. Meanwhile, CRISPR/Cas9 editing technology was used to create the NtESR2a and NtESR2b double mutant ntesr2, and the phenotype of the ntesr2 mutant was observed. Result NtESR2 has two copies in cultivated tobacco, NtESR2a and NtESR2b, with CDS lengths of 1 188 bp and 1 200 bp, encoding 395 and 399 amino acids, respectively. NtESR2a protein is located in the nucleus, while NtESR2b protein is located in the nucleus and cell membrane. Both proteins have only one AP2 domain and belong to the ERF subfamily, of which NtESR2a is from Nicotiana sylvestris and NtESR2b is from Nicotiana tomentosiformis. NtESR2 gene is expressed in the roots, stems, leaves, terminal buds, axillary buds and flowers of tobacco, among which the expression in terminal buds and axillary buds is higher, indicating that NtESR2 gene may have an important regulatory role in these tissues. Cis-acting element analysis and exogenous hormone treatment showed that the gene is regulated by a variety of plant hormones. The ntesr2 mutant showed the characteristics of cotyledon fusion and meristem loss, and the expression of NtCUC2, NtLAS, NtREV, NtYUCCA and NtPIN1 genes was significantly downregulated. Conclusion Two members of the ERF transcription factor NtESR2 are cloned from tobacco. They are highly expressed in apical buds and axillary buds and are regulated by a variety of plant hormones such as auxin. NtESR2 regulates the transport of auxin to affect the morphological establishment process of tobacco leaf buds. The research results provide a theoretical basis for regulating the development of tobacco leaf buds.

Key words: tobacco, NtESR2, CRISPR/Cas9, cotyledon fusion, meristem, bioinformatics analysis, subcellular localization