Molecular identification and functional characterization of a transcription factor GeRAV1 from Gelsemium elegans
Tianzhen Cui,
Shoujian Zang,
Xinlu Sun,
Jing Zhang,
Yachun Su,
Dongjiao Wang,
Guran Wu,
Ruiqi Chen,
Youxiong Que,
Qing Lin,
Chuihuai You
Affiliations
Tianzhen Cui
Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Shoujian Zang
Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Xinlu Sun
Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Jing Zhang
Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Yachun Su
Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Dongjiao Wang
Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Guran Wu
Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Ruiqi Chen
College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Youxiong Que
Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Qing Lin
College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Chuihuai You
Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
Abstract Background Gelsemium elegans is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant and temperature is one of the key factors affecting its growth. RAV (related to ABI3/VP1) transcription factor plays multiple roles in higher plants, including the regulation of plant growth, development, and stress response. However, RAV transcription factor in G. elegans has not been reported. Results In this study, three novel GeRAV genes (GeRAV1-GeRAV3) were identified from the transcriptome of G. elegans under low temperature stress. Phylogenetic analysis showed that GeRAV1-GeRAV3 proteins were clustered into groups II, IV, and V, respectively. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses indicated that the expression of GeRAV1 and GeRAV2 was increased in response to cold stress. Furthermore, the GeRAV1 gene was successfully cloned from G. elegans leaf. It encoded a hydrophilic, unstable, and non-secretory protein that contained both AP2 and B3 domains. The amino acid sequence of GeRAV1 protein shared a high similarity of 81.97% with Camptotheca acuminata CaRAV. Subcellular localization and transcriptional self-activation experiments demonstrated that GeRAV1 was a nucleoprotein without self-activating activity. The GeRAV1 gene was constitutively expressed in the leaves, stems, and roots of the G. elegans, with the highest expression levels in roots. In addition, the expression of the GeRAV1 gene was rapidly up-regulated under abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) stresses, suggesting that it may be involved in hormonal signaling pathways. Moreover, GeRAV1 conferred improved cold and sodium chloride tolerance in Escherichia coli Rosetta cells. Conclusions These findings provided a foundation for further understanding on the function and regulatory mechanism of the GeRAV1 gene in response to low-temperature stress in G. elegans.
