Identification and expression of the CEP gene family in apple (Malus×domestica)

Plant peptide hormones play important roles in plant growth and development. Among these hormones, the C-TERMINALLYENCODED PEPTIDE（CEP） belongs to a newly found peptide family that regulates root development in Arabidopsis as well as in other species. However, nothing is known about the CEP genes in apple（Malus×domestica, MdCEP）. In this study, a total of 27 apple CEP genes were identified through a genome-wide analysis and were phylogenetically divided into three classes（Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ）. The predicted MdCEP genes were distributed across 10 of 17 chromosomes with different densities. Next, the gene structures and motif compositions of the MdCEP genes were analyzed. Subsequently, the expression analysis suggested that the MdCEP genes were highly activated in roots and that MdCEP23 may play an important role in regulating the growth and development of roots. Moreover, all of the MdCEP genes were responsive to multiple abiotic stresses, indicating that MdCEP genes may be involved with various aspects of physiological processes in apple. Nearly one-third of MdCEP genes had a significant response to low nitrogen treatment. Most of the MdCEP genes were up-regulated under stress, including mannitol, polyethylene glycol（PEG） and abscisic acid（ABA）, suggesting that MdCEP genes may be involved in the drought stress response. This study provides insight into the putative functions of the MdCEP genes using a genome-wide analysis of the CEP gene family.

Physiological changes and expression characteristics of ZIP family genes under zinc def iciency in navel orange(Citrus sinensis)

Zinc （Zn） deficiency is widespread among citrus plants, but information about the mechanisms for Zn deficiency response in these plants is scarce. In the present study, different navel orange （Citrus sinensis （L.） Osbeck） leaves with various yellowing levels were sampled in our experimental orchard, and upon estimation of nutrient contents, Zn deficiencies were diagnosed as mild, moderate, and severe. Further analysis of chlorophyll content, photosynthetic characteristics, antioxidant enzyme activities, and expression levels of Zn/Iron-regulated transporter-like protein （ZIP） family genes were conducted in the sampled Zn-deficient leaves. The results showed that chlorophyll contents and net photosynthetic rate （Pn） seemed to decrease with reduced Zn contents. In addition, comparison of severe Zn-deficient and normal leaves revealed that activities of peroxidase （POD） and catalase （CAT） increased significantly, whereas that of Zn-containing enzymes such as Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase （Cu/Zn-SOD） significantly reduced with decreasing Zn contents. As expected, expression of the ZIP family genes, ZIP1, ZIP3, and ZIP4, was induced by Zn deficiencies. These results deepen our understanding of Zn deficiency in citrus plants as well as provide useful preliminary information for further research.

Expressions of Uroplakin gene family in interstitial cystitis

Objective To detect gene expressions of Uroplakin ( UP) family in interstitial cystitis ( IC) . Methods Gene expression of UP Ia,Ib,II,III,and III-c34 was quantitatively measured in bladder biopsy samples from patients with IC ( n = 29) and control subjects ( n = 16)