AaSEPALLATA1 integrates jasmonate and light-regulated glandular secretory trichome initiation in Artemisia annua.

Glandular secretory trichomes (GSTs) can secrete and store a variety of specific metabolites. By increasing GST density, valuable metabolites can be enhanced in terms of productivity. However, the comprehensive and detailed regulatory network of GST initiation still needs further investigation.

MADS-box gene promotes artemisinin biosynthesis in .

The plant is well known for its production of artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone that is an effective antimalarial compound. Although remarkable progress has been made toward understanding artemisinin biosynthesis, the effect of MADS-box family transcription factors on artemisinin biosynthesis is still poorly understood. In this study, we identified a MADS transcription factor, AaSEP4, that was predominantly expressed in trichome.

Jasmonate- and abscisic acid-activated AaGSW1-AaTCP15/AaORA transcriptional cascade promotes artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua.

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone widely used in malaria treatment, was discovered in the medicinal plant Artemisia annua. The biosynthesis of artemisinin is efficiently regulated by jasmonate (JA) and abscisic acid (ABA) via regulatory factors. However, the mechanisms linking JA and ABA signalling with artemisinin biosynthesis through an associated regulatory network of downstream transcription factors (TFs) remain enigmatic.

Jasmonate promotes artemisinin biosynthesis by activating the TCP14-ORA complex in .

produces the valuable medicinal component, artemisinin, which is a sesquiterpene lactone widely used in malaria treatment. AaORA, a homolog of CrORCA3, which is involved in activating terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis in , is a jasmonate (JA)-responsive and trichome-specific APETALA2/ETHYLENE-RESPONSE FACTOR that plays a pivotal role in artemisinin biosynthesis. However, the JA signaling mechanism underlying AaORA-mediated artemisinin biosynthesis remains enigmatic.

Molecular cloning, characterization, and promoter analysis of the isochorismate synthase (AaICS1) gene from Artemisia annua.

Isochorismate synthase (ICS) is a crucial enzyme in the salicylic acid (SA) synthesis pathway. The full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence of the ICS gene was isolated from Artemisia annua L. The gene, named AaICS1, contained a 1710-bp open reading frame, which encoded a protein with 570 amino acids.

Manipulation of the rice L-galactose pathway: evaluation of the effects of transgene overexpression on ascorbate accumulation and abiotic stress tolerance.

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is the most abundant water-soluble antioxidant in plants, and it plays a crucial role in plant growth, development and abiotic stress tolerance. In the present study, six key Arabidopsis or rapeseed genes involved in AsA biosynthesis were constitutively overexpressed in an elite Japonica rice cultivar. These genes encoded the GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMP), GDP-mannose-3',5'-epimerase (GME), GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase (GGP), L-galactose-1-phosphate phosphatase (GPP), L-galactose dehydrogenase (GDH), and L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH).

Increased α-tocotrienol content in seeds of transgenic rice overexpressing Arabidopsis γ-tocopherol methyltransferase.

Vitamin E comprises a group of eight lipid soluble antioxidant compounds that are an essential part of the human diet. The α-isomers of both tocopherol and tocotrienol are generally considered to have the highest antioxidant activities. γ-tocopherol methyltransferase (γ-TMT) catalyzes the final step in vitamin E biosynthesis, the methylation of γ- and δ-isomers to α- and β-isomers.

Cloning and characterization of trichome-specific promoter of cpr71av1 gene involved in artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua L.

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide derived from Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae), is the most effective antimalarial drug. We used two methods: genome walking and thermal asymmetric interlaced polymerase chain reaction, to isolate the unknown 5'-flanking sequence of the cyp71av1 gene.

Induction and flow cytometry identification of tetraploids from seed-derived explants through colchicine treatments in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don.

The tetraploid plants of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don was obtained by colchicine induction from seeds explants, and the ploidy of the plants was identified by flow cytometry.

Diversity and evolution of Ty1-copia retroelements in representative tribes of Bambusoideae subfamily.

Ty1-copia retroelements have been found in all major plants and are largely responsible for the huge differences in the genome size. In this study we isolated and sequenced Ty1-copia reverse transcriptase (rt) gene fragments from 44 representative species of bamboo and nine cultivars or forms of Phyllostachys pubescens. Phylogenetic analysis of 72 distinct Ty1-copia rt sequences showed that Ty1-copia retroelements were widespread, diverse and abundant in these species of Bambusoideae subfamily.

Functional analysis of GbAGL1, a D-lineage gene from cotton (Gossypium barbadense).

Cotton fibres originate from the outer ovule integument and D-lineage genes are essential for ovule development and their roles can be described by the 'ABCDE' model of flower development. To investigate the role of D-lineage genes during ovule and fibre development, GbAGL1 (GenBank accession number: FJ198049) was isolated from G. barbadense by using the SMART RACE strategy.

Expression and purification of Zantedeschia aethiopica agglutinin in Escherichia coli.

Recombinant Zantedeschia aethiopica agglutinin (ZAA) was expressed in Escherichia coli as N-terminal His-tagged fusion. After induction with isopropylthio-beta-D-galactoside (IPTG), the recombinant ZAA was purified by metal-affinity chromatography. The purified ZAA protein was applied in anti-fungal assay and the result showed that recombinant ZAA had anti-fungal activity towards leaf mold (Fulvia fulva), one of the most serious phytopathogenic fungi causing significant yield loss of crops.

Over-expression GbERF2 transcription factor in tobacco enhances brown spots disease resistance by activating expression of downstream genes.

ERF transcription factors can bind GCC boxes or non-GCC cis elements to regulate biotic and abiotic stress responses. Here, we report that an ERF transcription factor gene (GbERF2) was cloned by suppression subtraction hybridization from sea-island cotton after Verticillium dahliae attack. The GbERF2 cDNA has a total length of 1143 bp with an open reading frame of 597 bp.

Molecular cloning and expression profile analysis of Ginkgo biloba DXS gene encoding 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase, the first committed enzyme of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate pathway.

Plant diterpenes such as ginkgolides are biosynthesized via the recently discovered 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. The initial step of the MEP pathway is the formation of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) catalyzed by 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS, EC: 4.1.

[The study of transformation of tobacco with the stress responsible gene BoRS1 from Brassica oleracea var. acephala].

Transgenic tobacco plants expressing a stress responsive gene BoRS1, isolated from Brassica oleracea var. acephala, under the control of the 35S promoter of the Cauliflower mosaic virus were produced. Some plants were further used to test the effect of high level BoRS1 expression on drought stress resistance.

Molecular cloning of a novel LOS2 gene from Capsella bursa-pastoris.

A new LOS2 gene was cloned from C. bursa-pastoris by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length cDNA of C.

Cloning and characterization of a curcin gene encoding a ribosome inactivating protein from Jatropha curcas.

A curcin gene was isolated by using genomic walker technology and revealed to encode the type-1 ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs). Analysis of 1802 bp segments revealed the gene including a 694 bp 5' flanking region, a 882 bp open read frame (ORF) and a 226 bp 3' flanking region. There are one putative TATA boxes and two possible CAAT box lie in the 5'-flanking region.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel lectin gene from Zephyranthes candida.

A new lectin gene was cloned from Zephyranthes candida by using RACE-PCR. The full-length cDNA of Zephyranthes candida agglutinin (ZCA) was 647 bp and contained a 477 bp open reading frame encoding a 159 amino acid protein. Zephyranthes candida lectin gene was found to encode a precursor lectin with signal peptide and had extensive homology with those of other plant lectins.

Cloning and molecular characterization of a novel lectin gene from Pinellia ternata.

The full-length cDNA of Pinellia ternata agglutinin (PTA) was cloned from inflorescences using RACE-PCR. Through comparative analysis of PTA gene (pta) and its deduced amino acid sequence with those of other Araceae species, pta was found to encode a precursor lectin with signal peptide and to have extensive homology with those of other Araceae species. PTA was a heterotetrameric mannose-binding lectin with three mannose-binding boxes like lectins from other Araceae and Amaryllidaceae species.