Dataset Information

Characterization and functional analysis of GhWRKY42, a group IId WRKY gene, in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

ABSTRACT:

Background

WRKY transcription factors (TFs) participate in various physiological processes of plants. Although WRKY genes have been well studied in model plants, knowledge of the functional roles of these genes is still extremely limited in cotton.

Results

In this study, a group IId WRKY gene from cotton, GhWRKY42, was isolated and characterized. Our data showed that GhWRKY42 localized to the nucleus. A transactivation assay in yeast demonstrated that GhWRKY42 was not a transcriptional activator. A β-glucuronidase (GUS) activity assay revealed that the promoter of GhWRKY42 showed fragment deletion activity in Nicotiana tabacum and was mainly expressed in the roots, stems and leaves of ProGhWRKY42::GUS transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that GhWRKY42 was up-regulated during leaf senescence and was induced after exposure to abiotic stresses. Constitutive expression of GhWRKY42 in Arabidopsis led to a premature aging phenotype, which was correlated with an increased number of senescent leaves, reduced chlorophyll content and elevated expression of senescence-associated genes (SAGs). In addition, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) was used to silence the endogenous GhWRKY42 gene in cotton, and this silencing reduced plant height.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that GhWRKY42 is involved in abiotic stress responses, premature leaf senescence and stem development. This work establishes a solid foundation for further functional analysis of the GhWRKY42 gene in cotton.

SUBMITTER: Gu L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6065155 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Characterization and functional analysis of GhWRKY42, a group IId WRKY gene, in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Gu Lijiao L Wei Hengling H Wang Hantao H Su Junji J Yu Shuxun S

BMC genetics 20180730 1

<h4>Background</h4>WRKY transcription factors (TFs) participate in various physiological processes of plants. Although WRKY genes have been well studied in model plants, knowledge of the functional roles of these genes is still extremely limited in cotton.<h4>Results</h4>In this study, a group IId WRKY gene from cotton, GhWRKY42, was isolated and characterized. Our data showed that GhWRKY42 localized to the nucleus. A transactivation assay in yeast demonstrated that GhWRKY42 was not a transcript ...[more]

PMID: 30060731

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundGenetically modified cotton accounts for 64% of the world's cotton growing area (22.3 million hectares). The genome sequencing of the diploid cotton progenitors Gossypium raimondii and Gossypium arboreum as well as the cultivated Gossypium hirsutum has provided a wealth of genetic information that could be exploited for crop improvement. Unfortunately, gene functional characterization in cotton is lagging behind other economically important crops due to the low efficiency, lengthiness and technical complexity of the available stable transformation methods. We present here a simple, fast and efficient method for the transient transformation of G. hirsutum that can be used for gene characterization studies.ResultsWe developed a transient transformation system for gene characterization in upland cotton. Using β-glucuronidase as a reporter for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation assays, we evaluated multiple transformation parameters such as Agrobacterium strain, bacterial density, length of co-cultivation, chemicals and surfactants, which can affect transformation efficiency. After the initial characterization, the Agrobacterium EHA105 strain was selected and a number of binary constructs used to perform gene characterization studies. 7-days-old cotton seedlings were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium and transient gene expression was observed 5 days after infection of the plants. Transcript levels of two different transgenes under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter were quantified by real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) showing a 3-10 times increase over the levels observed in non-infected controls. The expression patterns driven by the promoters of two G. hirsutum genes as well as the subcellular localization of their corresponding proteins were studied using the new transient expression system and our observations were consistent with previously published results using Arabidopsis as a heterologous system.ConclusionsThe Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation method is a fast and easy transient expression system enabling high transient expression and transformation efficiency in upland cotton seedlings. Our method can be used for gene functional studies such as promoter characterization and protein subcellular localization in cotton, obviating the need to perform such studies in a heterologous system such as Arabidopsis.

Dataset Information

Characterization and functional analysis of GhWRKY42, a group IId WRKY gene, in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Background

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Characterization and functional analysis of GhWRKY42, a group IId WRKY gene, in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets