Identification, Classification, and Functional Analysis of AP2/ERF Family Genes in the Desert Moss Bryum argenteum.

Xiaoshuang Li,Jinyi Zhao,Daoyuan Zhang,Yuqing Liang,Andrew Wood,Xiaojie Liu,Jianhua Zhang,Bei Gao

doi:10.3390/ijms19113637

Abstract

Bryum argenteum is a desert moss which shows tolerance to the desert environment and is emerging as a good plant material for identification of stress-related genes. AP2/ERF transcription factor family plays important roles in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. AP2/ERF genes have been identified and extensively studied in many plants, while they are rarely studied in moss. In the present study, we identified 83 AP2/ERF genes based on the comprehensive dehydrationrehydration transcriptomic atlas of B. argenteum. BaAP2/ERF genes can be classified into five families, including 11 AP2s, 43 DREBs, 26 ERFs, 1 RAV, and 2 Soloists. RNA-seq data showed that 83 BaAP2/ERFs exhibited elevated transcript abundances during dehydration–rehydration process. We used RT-qPCR to validate the expression profiles of 12 representative BaAP2/ERFs and confirmed the expression trends using RNA-seq data. Eight out of 12 BaAP2/ERFs demonstrated transactivation activities. Seven BaAP2/ERFs enhanced salt and osmotic stress tolerances of yeast. This is the first study to provide detailed information on the identification, classification, and functional analysis of the AP2/ERFs in B. argenteum. This study will lay the foundation for the further functional analysis of these genes in plants, as well as provide greater insights into the molecular mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance of B. argenteum.

Highlights

Bryum argenteum is an important component of the desert biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut and Tengger Deserts of northwestern China [1,2]
The APETALA2/Ethylene Responsive Factor (AP2/ERF) gene family has been rarely studied in moss species, the largest TFs families found in the plant transcription factor databases (TFDB) are AP2/ERF genes annotated in the mosses Physcomitrella patens and Sphagnum fallax [13,14]
This is the first report on identification, classification, characterization, and evaluation the stress tolerance functions of the AP2/ERF gene family in desiccation tolerant moss B. argentums

Summary

Introduction

Bryum argenteum is an important component of the desert biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut and Tengger Deserts of northwestern China [1,2]. APETALA2/Ethylene Responsive Factor (AP2/ERF) is one of the largest transcription factor (TF) families of plants, and the family members have been demonstrated to play important roles in plant metabolism, development, and stresses response [9]. The AP2/ERF gene family has been rarely studied in moss species, the largest TFs families found in the plant transcription factor databases (TFDB) are AP2/ERF genes annotated in the mosses Physcomitrella patens and Sphagnum fallax [13,14]. The majority of DREB (Dehydration-Responsive Element-Binding Protein) genes in S. caninervis responded to dehydration and/or rehydration treatments [18,19], indicating that AP2/ERF transcriptional factors play a central regulatory role during stress responses in moss species

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