Abstract
BackgroundThe SBP-box gene family is specific to plants and encodes a class of zinc finger-containing transcription factors with a broad range of functions. Although SBP-box genes have been identified in numerous plants including green algae, moss, silver birch, snapdragon, Arabidopsis, rice and maize, there is little information concerning SBP-box genes, or the corresponding miR156/157, function in grapevine.Methodology/Principal FindingsEighteen SBP-box gene family members were identified in Vitis vinifera, twelve of which bore sequences that were complementary to miRNA156/157. Phylogenetic reconstruction demonstrated that plant SBP-domain proteins could be classified into seven subgroups, with the V. vinifera SBP-domain proteins being more closely related to SBP-domain proteins from dicotyledonous angiosperms than those from monocotyledonous angiosperms. In addition, synteny analysis between grape and Arabidopsis demonstrated that homologs of several grape SBP genes were found in corresponding syntenic blocks of Arabidopsis. Expression analysis of the grape SBP-box genes in various organs and at different stages of fruit development in V. quinquangularis ‘Shang-24’ revealed distinct spatiotemporal patterns. While the majority of the grape SBP-box genes lacking a miR156/157 target site were expressed ubiquitously and constitutively, most genes bearing a miR156/157 target site exhibited distinct expression patterns, possibly due to the inhibitory role of the microRNA. Furthermore, microarray data mining and quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis identified several grape SBP-box genes that are potentially involved in the defense against biotic and abiotic stresses.ConclusionThe results presented here provide a further understanding of SBP-box gene function in plants, and yields additional insights into the mechanism of stress management in grape, which may have important implications for the future success of this crop.
Highlights
Transcription factors, which are proteins that bind DNA in a sequence-specific manner and regulate gene expression by activating or repressing the transcription of downstream target genes, are found in virtually all living organisms and play an essential role in regulatory networks of many important developmental processes
The results presented here provide a further understanding of SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN (SBP)-box gene function in plants, and yields additional insights into the mechanism of stress management in grape, which may have important implications for the future success of this crop
SBP-box genes were first identified in Antirrhinum majus (AmSBP1 and AmSBP2) based on the ability of their encoded proteins to interact with the promoter region of the floral meristem identity gene SQUAMOSA [2]
Summary
Transcription factors, which are proteins that bind DNA in a sequence-specific manner and regulate gene expression by activating or repressing the transcription of downstream target genes, are found in virtually all living organisms and play an essential role in regulatory networks of many important developmental processes. SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN (SBP)-box genes encode a family of plant-specific transcription factors [1,2] that contain a highly conserved DNAbinding domain termed the SBP domain. This domain is an assembly of approximately 76 amino acid residues that are involved in both DNA-binding and nuclear localization, and features two zinc-binding sites [2,3]. SBP-box genes were first identified in Antirrhinum majus (AmSBP1 and AmSBP2) based on the ability of their encoded proteins to interact with the promoter region of the floral meristem identity gene SQUAMOSA [2]. SBP-box genes have been identified in numerous plants including green algae, moss, silver birch, snapdragon, Arabidopsis, rice and maize, there is little information concerning SBP-box genes, or the corresponding miR156/157, function in grapevine
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