Identification and Characterization of a Novel Gene, GhWRI1, Encoding an AP2-type Transcription Factor in Gossypium hirsutum

Abstract

Abstract: AP2(APETALA2)/EREBP(ethylene-responsive element binding protein)genes comprise a family of plant-specific transcription factors, many of which have been linked to the regulation of essential biological processes. In this study, a novel AP2 gene, named GhWRI1, was isolated from Gossypium hirsutum(cotton). The GhWRI1 cDNA has a total length of 1 314 bp and encodes a protein of 437 amino acids with a molecular weight of 48 kD and a calculated pI of 5.77. Sequence analysis showed that GhWRI1 contains two AP2 domains and belongs to the AP2 subfamily. Using a green fluorescent protein fusion protein, we demonstrated that GhWRI1 accumulated specifically in the nuclei of onion epidermal cells. Real-time RT-PCR revealed that GhWRI1 was constitutively expressed in true leaves and roots, and its expression in fibers and seeds was upregulated over the course of development. In addition, GhWRI1 enhances the activity of a luciferase reporter by approximately 20-fold, by using a GAL4 activating system in tobacco cells. Our results indicate that GhWRI1 is a strong transcriptional activator. The possible role of cotton GhWRI1 in controlling the seed oil content is discussed.

Key words: Wrinkled1, gene(WRI1, ), Transcription factor, AP2 domain, Transient assay, Gossypium hirsutum

Li Xin, Wang Zhengming, Xue Wei, Chu Mingguang. Identification and Characterization of a Novel Gene, GhWRI1, Encoding an AP2-type Transcription Factor in Gossypium hirsutum[J]. Biotechnology Bulletin, 2013, 0(6): 80-86.

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