Dataset Information

Genome-wide identification of the tobacco GDSL family and apical meristem-specific expression conferred by the GDSL promoter

ABSTRACT:

Background

GDSL esterases/lipases are a large protein subfamily defined by the distinct GDSL motif, and play important roles in plant development and stress responses. However, few studies have reported on the role of GDSLs in the growth and development of axillary buds. This work aims to identify the GDSL family members in tobacco and explore whether the NtGDSL gene contributes to development of the axillary bud in tobacco.

Results

One hundred fifty-nine GDSL esterase/lipase genes from cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) were identified, and the dynamic changes in the expression levels of 93 of these genes in response to topping, as assessed using transcriptome data of topping-induced axillary shoots, were analysed. In total, 13 GDSL esterase/lipase genes responded with changes in expression level. To identify genes and promoters that drive the tissue-specific expression in tobacco apical and axillary buds, the expression patterns of these 13 genes were verified using qRT-PCR. GUS activity and a lethal gene expression pattern driven by the NtGDSL127 promoter in transgenic tobacco demonstrated that NtGDSL127 is specifically expressed in apical buds, axillary buds, and flowers. Three separate deletions in the NtGDSL127 promoter demonstrated that a minimum upstream segment of 235 bp from the translation start site can drive the tissue-specific expression in the apical meristem. Additionally, NtGDSL127 responded to phytohormones, providing strategies for improving tobacco breeding and growth.

Conclusion

We propose that in tobacco, the NtGDSL127 promoter directs expression specifically in the apical meristem and that expression is closely correlated with axillary bud development.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-021-03278-x.

SUBMITTER: Lv J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8556911 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:GDSL-type esterase/lipase proteins (GELPs) belong to the SGNH hydrolase superfamily and contain a conserved GDSL motif at their N-terminus. GELPs are widely distributed in nature, from microbes to plants, and play crucial roles in growth and development, stress responses and pathogen defense. However, the identification and functional analysis of GELP genes are hardly explored in soybean. This study describes the identification of 194 GELP genes in the soybean genome and their phylogenetic classification into 11 subfamilies (A-K). GmGELP genes are disproportionally distributed on 20 soybean chromosomes. Large-scale WGD/segmental duplication events contribute greatly to the expansion of the soybean GDSL gene family. The Ka/Ks ratios of more than 70% of duplicated gene pairs ranged from 0.1-0.3, indicating that most GmGELP genes were under purifying selection pressure. Gene structure analysis indicate that more than 74% of GmGELP genes are interrupted by 4 introns and composed of 5 exons in their coding regions, and closer homologous genes in the phylogenetic tree often have similar exon-intron organization. Further statistics revealed that approximately 56% of subfamily K members contain more than 4 introns, and about 28% of subfamily I members consist of less than 4 introns. For this reason, the two subfamilies were used to simulate intron gain and loss events, respectively. Furthermore, a new model of intron position distribution was established in current study to explore whether the evolution of multi-gene families resulted from the diversity of gene structure. Finally, RNA-seq data were used to investigate the expression profiles of GmGELP gene under different tissues and multiple abiotic stress treatments. Subsequently, 7 stress-responsive GmGELP genes were selected to verify their expression levels by RT-qPCR, the results were consistent with RNA-seq data. Among 7 GmGELP genes, GmGELP28 was selected for further study owing to clear responses to drought, salt and ABA treatments. Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and soybean plants showed drought and salt tolerant phenotype. Overexpression of GmGELP28 resulted in the changes of several physiological indicators, which allowed plants to adapt adverse conditions. In all, GmGELP28 is a potential candidate gene for improving the salinity and drought tolerance of soybean.