玉米生长素响应因子家族基因的表达模式分析

A study of expression pattern of auxin response factor family genes in maize(Zea mays L.)

生长素响应因子(auxin response factor,ARF)是一类重要的转录因子,通过特异性地结合生长素响应元件调节下游靶基因的转录,参与诸多植物生长发育过程的调控。玉米中有许多ARF家族基因,但其表达模式有待深入研究。本研究分析了玉米ARF家族基因在不同组织器官中的表达,发现除ARF10、ARF16和ARF34组成型表达外,其余32个ARF基因的表达水平在生殖器官中要明显高于营养器官。对ARF基因启动子区的顺式作用元件分析显示,28个ARF基因的启动子区含有逆境胁迫相关顺式元件,实时定量PCR分析结果显示,多个ARF基因分别响应冷、热、盐和渗透胁迫。研究结果不仅暗示了ARF家族基因在玉米生殖生长和非生物逆境胁迫响应中的重要性,也为全面解析ARF基因在玉米中的生物学功能提供有用信息。

Auxin response factors(ARFs)are important transcription factors which control the expression of target genes by binding specifically to auxin response elements,and are involved in a series of developmental processes in plant species.In maize genome,dozens of ARF genes are encoded,however,there is little known on their expression patterns.In this study,the analysis on the expression level of ARF genes in diverse tissues and organs revealed that expression level of 32 ARF genes were higher in reproductive organs than that in vegetative organs,except ARF10,ARF16,and ARF34 constitutively expressed.The predicted results of cis-acting elements showed that the promoter regions of 28 ARF genes harbored the cis-regulatory elements related to abiotic stresses.Real-time quantitative PCR results indicated that expression of several ARF genes showed a response to cold,heat,and osmotic stresses,respectively.The results highlighted the importance of ARF family genes in reproductive growth and abiotic stress response,and provided useful information for the comprehensive analysis of the biological function of ARF genes in maize.