Project description:Plants possess various defense strategies to counter attacks from microorganisms or herbivores. For example, plants reduce the cell-wall-macerating activity of pathogen- or insect-derived polygalacturonases (PGs) by expressing PG-inhibiting proteins (PGIPs). PGs and PGIPs belong to multi-gene families believed to have been shaped by an evolutionary arms race. The mustard leaf beetle Phaedon cochleariae expresses both active PGs and catalytically inactive PG pseudoenzymes. Previous studies demonstrated that (i) PGIPs target beetle PGs and (ii) the role of PG pseudoenzymes remains elusive, despite having been linked to the pectin degradation pathway. For further insight into the interaction between plant PGIPs and beetle PG family members, we combined affinity purification with proteomics and gene expression analyses, and identified novel inhibitors of beetle PGs from Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis). A beetle PG pseudoenzyme was not targeted by PGIPs, but instead interacted with PGIP-like proteins. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PGIP-like proteins clustered apart from classical PGIPs but together with proteins, which have been involved in developmental processes. Our results indicate that PGIP-like proteins represent not only interesting novel PG inhibitor candidates in addition to classical PGIPs, but also fascinating new players in the arms race between herbivorous beetles and plant defenses.
Project description:Using 300K′-high density microarray covering the chinese cabbage whole genome, genome-wide expression analyses of cold stress conditions.
Project description:To identify genes associated with genic male sterility (GMS) that could be useful for hybrid breeding in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis), floral bud transcriptome analysis was carried out using a B. rapa microarray with 300,000 probes (Br300K). Among 47,548 clones deposited on a Br300K microarray with seven probes of 60 nt length within the 3' 150 bp region, a total of 10,622 genes were differentially expressed between fertile and sterile floral buds; 4,774 and 5,848 genes were up-regulated over 2-fold in fertile and sterile buds, respectively. However, the expression of 1,413 and 199 genes showed fertile and sterile bud-specific features, respectively. Genes expressed specifically in fertile buds, possibly GMS-related genes, included homologs of several Arabidopsis male sterility-related genes, genes associated with the cell wall and synthesis of its surface proteins, pollen wall and coat components, signaling components, and nutrient supplies. However, most early genes for pollen development, genes for primexine and callose formation, and genes for pollen maturation and anther dehiscence showed no difference in expression between fertile and sterile buds. Some of the known genes associated with Arabidopsis pollen development showed similar expression patterns to those seen in this study, while others did not. BrbHLH89 and BrMYP99 are putative GMS genes. Additionally, 17 novel genes identified only in B. rapa were specifically and highly expressed only in fertile buds, implying the possible involvement in male fertility. All data suggest that Chinese cabbage GMS might be controlled by genes acting in post-meiotic tapetal development that are different from those known to be associated with Arabidopsis male sterility. A total of 14 chips were used for the microarray experiment. Experiments were performed with two biological replicates.
Project description:To identify genes associated with genic male sterility (GMS) that could be useful for hybrid breeding in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis), floral bud transcriptome analysis was carried out using a B. rapa microarray with 300,000 probes (Br300K). Among 47,548 clones deposited on a Br300K microarray with seven probes of 60 nt length within the 3' 150 bp region, a total of 10,622 genes were differentially expressed between fertile and sterile floral buds; 4,774 and 5,848 genes were up-regulated over 2-fold in fertile and sterile buds, respectively. However, the expression of 1,413 and 199 genes showed fertile and sterile bud-specific features, respectively. Genes expressed specifically in fertile buds, possibly GMS-related genes, included homologs of several Arabidopsis male sterility-related genes, genes associated with the cell wall and synthesis of its surface proteins, pollen wall and coat components, signaling components, and nutrient supplies. However, most early genes for pollen development, genes for primexine and callose formation, and genes for pollen maturation and anther dehiscence showed no difference in expression between fertile and sterile buds. Some of the known genes associated with Arabidopsis pollen development showed similar expression patterns to those seen in this study, while others did not. BrbHLH89 and BrMYP99 are putative GMS genes. Additionally, 17 novel genes identified only in B. rapa were specifically and highly expressed only in fertile buds, implying the possible involvement in male fertility. All data suggest that Chinese cabbage GMS might be controlled by genes acting in post-meiotic tapetal development that are different from those known to be associated with Arabidopsis male sterility.
Project description:Identification of genes associated with pistil development by transcriptome analysis of a female sterility mutant (fsm) in Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. pekinensis)
Project description:Comparative transcript profiling of fertile and sterile flower buds from multiple-allele-inherited male sterility in Chinese Cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis)
Project description:Background: The growth and development of leaf and petiole have an important influence on the photosynthesis of plants. The research on molecular mechanism of leaf and petiole development is of great significance, whether it is to improve plant photosynthetic efficiency, cultivate varieties with high photosynthetic efficiency, or improve the yield of crops using leaves as food organs. In this study, we aimed to identify the mRNAs, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) related to leaf and petiole development in Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis). These data were then used to construct competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, which can provide valuable information for better understanding the mechanism of leaf and petiole development. Results: In this study, the leaf and petiole of the baby Chinese cabbage inbred line ‘PHL’ were used as research materials for whole-transcriptome sequencing. A total of 10646 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs, 303 DE lncRNAs, 7 DE circRNAs, and 195 DE miRNAs were identified between the leaf and petiole. Some transcription factors or proteins that play important roles in leaf and petiole development were identified, such as xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) protein, expansion protein, TCP15 transcription factor, bHLH transcription factor, LOB domain protein, cellulose synthase (CESA), MOR1-like protein, and plant hormone biosynthesis related genes. Additionally, we constructed a leaf and petiole development-related ceRNA regulatory network, and obtained 85 pairs of ceRNA relationships, including 71 DEmiRNA-DEmRNA, 12 DEmiRNA-DElncRNA and 2 DEmiRNA-DEcircRNA. Three LSH genes (BrLSH1, BrLSH2 and BrLSH3) with significant differential expression between leaf and petiole of baby Chinese cabbage were screened from transcriptome data for subcellular localization analysis and overexpression transgenic verification. The results showed that BrLSH1, BrLSH2 and BrLSH3 were nucleoprotein and BrLSH2 has an obvious inhibitory effect on the growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana. Conclusions: Our results revealed the potential mRNAs and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) involved in leaf and petiole development, which laid a foundation for further research on the molecular mechanism of leaf and petiole development in Chinese cabbage.
Project description:Global Analysis of the Transcriptional Response of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) to Methyl Jasmonate Reveals JA Signaling on Enhancement of Secondary Metabolism Pathways