Project description:Transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) expressing Caenorhabditis elegans cell death genes, Ced4 and Ced3, show evidence suggesting such expressions protect the plants from infestation by the plant parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Although positive results have been correlated with the gene expressions (data in preparation for publication; a draft of the publication can be provided upon request), the mechanism by which the nematode protection is manifested is not clearly understood. One possibility is that the C. elegans cell death proteins produced by the transgenic plants are being ingested and incorporated into the nematode’s own cell death pathway, leading to their demise. Alternatively, it is also possible that expression of the C. elegans cell death genes promotes the endogenous resistance genes of the plant, leading to nematode resistance. We want to test the later hypothesis by conducting a reference design microarray experiment to establish the expression profile of Ced3, and Ced4 homozygous plants and Ced3xCed4 double heterozygous plants in comparison with wild-type tobacco plants. If the hypothesis is correct, we expect to detect increased expression of pathogenicity-related genes in the transgenic plants. Furthermore, characterization of the expression profiles in these transgenic plants will provide us directionality for our future research on the elucidation of this resistance mechanism. Keywords: Reference design
Project description:Transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) expressing Caenorhabditis elegans cell death genes, Ced4 and Ced3, show evidence suggesting such expressions protect the plants from infestation by the plant parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Although positive results have been correlated with the gene expressions (data in preparation for publication; a draft of the publication can be provided upon request), the mechanism by which the nematode protection is manifested is not clearly understood. One possibility is that the C. elegans cell death proteins produced by the transgenic plants are being ingested and incorporated into the nematode’s own cell death pathway, leading to their demise. Alternatively, it is also possible that expression of the C. elegans cell death genes promotes the endogenous resistance genes of the plant, leading to nematode resistance. We want to test the later hypothesis by conducting a reference design microarray experiment to establish the expression profile of Ced3, and Ced4 homozygous plants and Ced3xCed4 double heterozygous plants in comparison with wild-type tobacco plants. If the hypothesis is correct, we expect to detect increased expression of pathogenicity-related genes in the transgenic plants. Furthermore, characterization of the expression profiles in these transgenic plants will provide us directionality for our future research on the elucidation of this resistance mechanism. Keywords: Reference design 27 hybs total
Project description:Lysine β-hydroxybutyrylation (Kbhb) is an evolutionarily conserved and widespread post-translational modification (PTM) in active gene transcription and cellular proliferation. However, its function remains unknown in phytopathogenic fungi. Here, we report a comprehensive identification of Kbhb in the rice false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens. Total 2,204 Kbhb sites were identified in 852 proteins. We found that β-hydroxybutyrylated proteins were enriched in mannose type O-glycan biosynthesis, citrate cycle (TCA cycle), ribosome, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, proteasome, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, biosynthesis of nucleotide sugars, butanoate metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, fructose and mannose metabolism, propanoate metabolism, methane metabolism, fatty acid degradation, β-alanine metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation, phagosome, oxidative phosphorylation pathway. This suggests Kbhb might be involved in basic life functions of Ustilaginoidea virens.
Project description:A custom-made microarray was used for comparative transcriptome analysis of transgenic suspension cell line of Nicotiana tabacum that overexpresses the CaRLK1 gene. Ectopic expression of the CaRLK1 preferentially upregulated many amino acid biosynthetic genes under hypoxia: a 1.7-fold higher steady-state concentration of total free amino acids. Free Ala level was predominantly increased by 3-4 times and reached more than half of total free amino acid content. A significantly and markedly increased pyruvate content was also observed. These accumulations are associated with the glyoxylate cycle positively regulated by the CaRLK1.
Project description:Genetically engineering Nicotiana tabacum to express Isoprene Synthase (ISPS) leads to changes in expression of genes assoiated with many growth regulator signaling pathways and signaling networks involved in abiotic and biotic stress responses.