Expression of lysine-rich protein gene and analysis of lysine content in transgenic wheat

Expression vector pBPC102, which carries winged bean lysine-rich protein (wblrp) gene and dihydropicolinate synthase (DHDPS) gene, was transferred into hexaploid winter wheat cv. Jinghua No.l, Jing411, You899 and Yangnongl5 explants of immature inflorescence and immature embryos by particle bombardment. More than 100 transgenic plants were obtained under the selection of s-(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine (AEC). Confirmed transgenic plants of To and TI generation by PCR and PCR-Southern blotting analyses showed successful integration of wblrp gene into wheat genome. Analysis of transgenic plant lines of T2 by Northern dot-blotting showed good expression of wblrp gene in offspring seed. The content of free lysine in leaves, contents of bound lysine and total proteins in seeds of T2 transgenie wheat lines were determined and analyzed. Among 34 tested transgenic lines, levels of free lysine content in leaves of 9 transgenic lines are 2~3times higher than un-trans-formed wild-type cultivars. Among 17 analyzed transgenic lines, bound lysine content of 4 transgenic lines is more than 10% higher than that of wild-type cultivars. Our research suggests that introducing wblrp gene into wheat is an effective way to improve its nutrition quality.     

Cloning and expressional analyses of a cinnamoyl CoA reductase cDNA from rice seedlings

Cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CCR: EC 1.2.1.44),the entry-point enzyme of the llgnin specific biosynthetic pathway, catalyzes the conversion of cinnamoyl CoA esters to their corresponding dnnamaldehydes. Multiple sequence alignment showed that the deduced polypeptide shared 70% similarity and 30% sequence identity at the amino acid level with defined CCR genes from other plant species and they all contain the common signature sequences thought to be the catalytic site as well as the putative NADP binding domain.Using a conserved OsCCR cDNA fragment as the probe for library screening, we isolated the genomic DNA that covered the whole coding region of OsCCR with total length of 3045bp including 4 introns and 5 exons. The open reading frame for our OsCCR gene coBtAin~ 337 amino adds. Northern blot indicated that OsCCR was expressed in different organs with the highest level found in stems. In situ hybridization results showed that OsCCR mRNA was localized mainly along the vascular bundles in stems and leaves, and also in lateral roots that was differentiating from the tiilering node. We conclude that the vascular-localized expression of OsCCR gene may suggest its possible involvement in llgnin biosynthesis. Cloning and characterization of OsCCR will help to clarify how llgniflcations in plants are regulated and will provide a physical basis for creating genetically engineered rice plants with optimal lignin contents.     

Importance of NPA motifs in the expression and function of water channel aquaporin-1

The asparagine-proline-alanine sequences (NPA motifs) are highly conserved in aquaporin water channel family. Crystallographic studies of AQP1 structure demonstrated that the two NPA motifs are in the narrow central constriction of the channel, serving to bind water molecules for selective and effi-cient water passage. To investigate the importance of the two NPA motifs in the structure, function and biogenesis of aquaporin water channels, we generated AQP1 mutations with NPA1 deletion, NPA2 de-letion and NPA1,2 double deletion. The coding sequences of the three mutated cDNAs were subcloned into the mammalian expression vector pcDNA3.1 to form expression plasmids. We established stably transfected CHO cell lines expressing these AQP1 mutants. Immunofluorescence indicated that all the three mutated AQP1 proteins are expressed normally on the plasma membrane of stably transfected CHO cells, suggesting that deletion of NPA motifs does not influence the expression and intracellular processing of AQP1. Functional analysis demonstrated that NPA1 or NPA2 deletion reduced AQP1 water permeability by 49.6% and 46.7%, respectively, while NPA1,2 double deletion had little effect on AQP1 water permeability. These results provide evidence that NPA motifs are important for water per-meation but not essential for the expression, intracellular processing and the basic structure of AQP1 water channel.     

植物转化酶及其基因表达与调控

蔗糖利用依赖于蔗糖的降解.植物转化酶通过降解蔗糖为己糖,不仅为呼吸作用提供底物,而且作为信号分子调节多种基因的表达,同时转化酶基因的表达也受到多种因素的调控.综述了近年来植物转化酶的种类、特性、功能及其基因表达在转录水平和翻译水平调控机制的研究进展.     

TaNHX2基因植物表达载体的构建及在烟草中的表达

将TaNHX2基因重组于质粒pBIN438的CaMV 35S启动子下游,构建含TaNHX2基因的植物双元表达载体pBIN438-TaNHX2.采用农杆菌介导转化烟草(Nicotiana tobacum L.),获得含TaNHX2的转基因烟草植株.经PCR、RT-PCR分析表明,TaNHX2基因已整合到烟草中,并且得到表达.耐盐分析表明,外源基因TaNHX2提高了转基因植株的耐盐性.     

植物细胞膜H^＋-ATPase对必需矿质养分的适应性

植物细胞膜H^＋-ATPase是初级转运蛋白，在各种离子和代谢产物的跨膜运输中起着重要的作用；介绍了植物细胞H^＋-ATPase的结构、生化特性、生理功能与调控机制；重点综述了细胞膜H^＋-ATPase的活性及其蛋白数量与基因表达对植物必需矿质养分的适应性。