Functional divergence of two duplicated D-lineage MADS-box genes BdMADS2 and BdMADS4 from Brachypodium distachyon.

MADS-box genes are core members of the ABCDE model for flower development where D-lineage genes play essential roles in ovule identity determination. We report here the cloning and functional characterization of two duplicated MADS-box genes, BdMADS2 and BdMADS4 from Brachypodium distachyon, the model plant of temperate grasses. BdMADS2 and BdMADS4 were highly similar to grass D-lineage MADS-box genes on the protein level and they fell in a distinctive clade on the phylogenetic tree, with conserved intron/exon structures to their rice and maize orthologues.

The complete chloroplast genome of Coix lacryma-jobi and a comparative molecular evolutionary analysis of plastomes in cereals.

Graminoid molecular evolution was investigated by chloroplast genome (plastome) scale analyses. A complete plastome from Coix lacryma-jobi (Poaceae) and a draft plastome from Joinvillea plicata (Joinvilleaceae) were sequenced and analyzed. The draft plastome included conserved protein-coding loci routinely analyzed in previous studies plus one additional locus of demonstrated phylogenetic utility.

Biotic and abiotic stress responses through calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) signaling in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) sense the calcium concentration changes in plant cells and play important roles in signaling pathways for disease resistance and various stress responses as indicated by emerging evidences. Among the 20 wheat CDPK genes studied, 10 were found to respond to drought, salinity and ABA treatments. Consistent with previous observations, one CDPK gene was shown to respond to multiple abiotic stresses in wheat suggesting that CDPKs could be converging points for multiple signaling pathways.

Interaction study of MADS-domain proteins in tomato.

MADS-domain proteins are important transcription factors involved in many biological processes of plants. Interactions between MADS-domain proteins are essential for their functions. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), the number of MIKC(c)-type MADS-domain proteins identified has totalled 36, but a large-scale interaction assay is lacking.

Genome-wide analysis of the MADS-box gene family in Populus trichocarpa.

Populus trichocarpa (poplar) is distinguished from its herbaceous counterparts Arabidopsis and rice by its woody structure, perennial life cycle, and dioecious, two-whorled flowers. MADS-box genes are known to be involved in many important processes during plant development. Investigation of the poplar genome revealed 105 putative functional MADS-box genes and 12 pseudogenes.