scholarly journals TbMYC4A Is a Candidate Gene Controlling the Blue Aleurone Trait in a Wheat-Triticum boeoticum Substitution Line

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Liu ◽  
Minghu Zhang ◽  
Xiaomei Jiang ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Zhenjiao Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Candidate Gene ◽  
Anthocyanin Biosynthesis ◽  
Substitution Line ◽  
Bhlh Transcription Factor ◽  
Specific Marker ◽  
Aleurone Layer ◽  
Wheat Varieties ◽  
Triticum Boeoticum ◽  
Wheat Lines

Triticum boeoticum Boiss (AbAb, 2n = 2x = 14) is one of the sources of the blue grain trait controlled by blue aleurone layer 2 (Ba2). However, the underlying genes have not been cloned. In this study, a transcriptomic comparison between a blue-grained wheat-T. boeoticum substitution line and its wheat parent identified 41 unigenes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis and 29 unigenes related to transport. The bHLH transcription factor gene TbMYC4A showed a higher expression level in the blue-grained substitution line. TbMYC4A contained the three characteristic bHLH transcription factor domains (bHLH-MYC_N, HLH and ACT-like) and clustered with genes identified from other wheat lines with the blue grain trait derived from other Triticeae species. TbMYC4A overexpression confirmed that it was a functional bHLH transcription factor. The analysis of a TbMYC4A-specific marker showed that the gene was also present in T. boeoticum and T. monococcum with blue aleurone but absent in other Triticeae materials with white aleurone. These results indicate that TbMYC4A is a candidate gene of Ba2 controlling the blue aleurone trait. The isolation of TbMYC4A is helpful for further clarifying the genetic mechanism of the blue aleurone trait and is of great significance for breeding blue-grained wheat varieties.

scholarly journals Conserved and non-conserved functions of the rice homologs of the Arabidopsis trichome initiation-regulating MBW complex proteins

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaijie Zheng ◽  
Xutong Wang ◽  
Yating Wang ◽  
Shucai Wang
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Anthocyanin Biosynthesis ◽  
Transcriptional Activator ◽  
Myb Transcription Factor ◽  
Bhlh Transcription Factor ◽  
Seed Color ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Root Hair Formation ◽  
Protoplast Transfection ◽  
Mbw Complex

Abstract Background Trichome initiation in Arabidopsis is regulated by a MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) transcriptional activator complex formed by the R2R3 MYB transcription factor GLABRA1 (GL1), MYB23 or MYB82, the bHLH transcription factor GLABRA3 (GL3), ENHANCER OF GLABRA3 (EGL3) or TRANSPARENT TESTA8 (TT8), and the WD40-repeat protein TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 (TTG1). However, the functions of the rice homologs of the MBW complex proteins remained uncharacterized. Results Based on amino acid sequence identity and similarity, and protein interaction prediction, we identified OsGL1s, OsGL3s and OsTTG1s as rice homologs of the MBW complex proteins. By using protoplast transfection, we show that OsGL1D, OsGL1E, OsGL3B and OsTTG1A were predominantly localized in the nucleus, OsGL3B functions as a transcriptional activator and is able to interact with GL1 and TTG1. By using yeast two-hybrid and protoplast transfection assays, we show that OsGL3B is able to interact with OsGL1E and OsTTG1A, and OsGL1E and OsTTG1A are also able to interact with GL3. On the other hand, we found that OsGL1D functions as a transcription activator, and it can interact with GL3 but not OsGL3B. Furthermore, our results show that expression of OsTTG1A in the ttg1 mutant restored the phenotypes including alternations in trichome and root hair formation, seed color, mucilage production and anthocyanin biosynthesis, indicating that OsTTG1A and TTG1 may have similar functions. Conclusion These results suggest that the rice homologs of the Arabidopsis MBW complex proteins are able to form MBW complexes, but may have conserved and non-conserved functions.

scholarly journals Overexpression of ThMYC4E Enhances Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Common Wheat

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuo Zhao ◽  
Xingyuan Xi ◽  
Yuan Zong ◽  
Shiming Li ◽  
Yun Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Common Wheat ◽  
Anthocyanin Biosynthesis ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Bhlh Transcription Factor ◽  
Anthocyanin Content ◽  
Metabolome Analysis ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Transgenic Lines ◽  
Ethanol Extracts

The basic helix-loop helix (bHLH) transcription factor has been inferred to play an important role in blue and purple grain traits in common wheat, but to date, its overexpression has not been reported. In this study, the bHLH transcription factor ThMYC4E, the candidate gene controlling the blue grain trait from Th. Ponticum, was transferred to the common wheat JW1. The positive transgenic lines displayed higher levels of purple anthocyanin pigments in their grains, leaves and glumes. Stripping the glumes (light treatment) caused white grains to become purple in transgenic lines. RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the transcript levels of structural genes associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis were higher in transgenic wheat than the wild-type (WT), which indicated that ThMYC4E activated anthocyanin biosynthesis in the transgenic lines. Correspondingly, the anthocyanin contents in grains, roots, stems, leaves and glumes of transgenic lines were higher than those in the WT. Metabolome analysis demonstrated that the anthocyanins were composed of cyanidin and delphinidin in the grains of the transgenic lines. Moreover, the transgenic lines showed higher antioxidant activity, in terms of scavenging DPPH radicals, in the ethanol extracts of their grains. The overexpression of ThMYC4E sheds light on the traits related to anthocyanin biosynthesis in common wheat and provide a new way to improve anthocyanin content.

scholarly journals Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Key Genes Responsible for Red Coleoptiles in Triticum Monococcum

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Cao ◽  
Jiequn Fan ◽  
Xingyuan Xi ◽  
Yuan Zong ◽  
Dongxia Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Candidate Gene ◽  
Transcriptome Analysis ◽  
Anthocyanin Biosynthesis ◽  
Functional Domains ◽  
Transactivation Domain ◽  
Structural Genes ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Key Genes

Red coleoptiles can help crops to cope with adversity and the key genes that are responsible for this trait have previously been isolated from Triticum aestivum, Triticum urartu, and Aegilops tauschii. This report describes the use of transcriptome analysis to determine the candidate gene that controls the trait for white coleoptiles in T. monococcum by screening three cultivars with white coleoptiles and two with red coleoptiles. Fifteen structural genes and two transcription factors that are involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were identified from the assembled UniGene database through BLAST analysis and their transcript levels were then compared in white and red coleoptiles. The majority of the structural genes reflected lower transcript levels in the white than in the red coleoptiles, which implied that transcription factors related to anthocyanin biosynthesis could be candidate genes. The transcript levels of MYC transcription factor TmMYC-A1 were not significantly different between the white and red coleoptiles and all of the TmMYC-A1s contained complete functional domains. The deduced amino acid sequence of the MYB transcription factor TmMYB-A1 in red coleoptiles was homologous to TuMYB-A1, TaMYB-A1, TaMYB-B1, and TaMYB-D1, which control coleoptile color in corresponding species and contained the complete R2R3 MYB domain and the transactivation domain. TmMYB-a1 lost its two functional domains in white coleoptiles due to a single nucleotide deletion that caused premature termination at 13 bp after the initiation codon. Therefore, TmMYB-A1 is likely to be the candidate gene for the control of the red coleoptile trait, and its loss-of-function mutation leads to the white phenotype in T. monococcum.

FvbHLH9 Functions as a Positive Regulator of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis by Forming a HY5–bHLH9 Transcription Complex in Strawberry Fruits

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 826-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Li ◽  
Pengbo Xu ◽  
Guanqun Chen ◽  
Jun Wu ◽  
Zhongchi Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Promoter Region ◽  
Anthocyanin Biosynthesis ◽  
Anthocyanin Synthesis ◽  
Bhlh Transcription Factor ◽  
Anthocyanin Accumulation ◽  
Positive Regulator ◽  
Key Enzyme ◽  
Synergistic Regulation ◽  
Transient Overexpression

Abstract Anthocyanin accumulation is transcriptionally regulated by the MYB–bHLH–WD40 complex. Light is indispensable for anthocyanin accumulation, and light-inducible MYB and HY5 were considered to promote anthocyanin accumulation in many fruits. Whether and how light-inducible bHLH transcription factor and HY5 regulate anthocyanin synthesis in strawberry is unknown. In this study, we identified a bHLH transcription factor, FvbHLH9, which was induced by light as well as FvHY5, and found that, similar to FvHY5, the transient overexpression and interference FvbHLH9 in strawberry fruits can promote and decrease anthocyanin accumulation, respectively, indicating FvbHLH9 functions as a positive regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis. Furthermore, we confirmed that both FvHY5 and FvbHLH9 specifically bind to the promoter region of some key enzyme genes, including FvDFR, and the expression of FvDFR was activated through the heterodimer formation between FvHY5 and FvbHLH9. Finally, we confirmed that FvbHLH9-promoted anthocyanin accumulation is dependent on HY5–bHLH heterodimerisation in Arabidopsis. Our findings provide insights into a mechanism involving the synergistic regulation of light-dependent coloration and anthocyanin biosynthesis via a HY5–bHLH heterodimer formed by the interaction of FvHY5 and FvbHLH9 in strawberry fruits.

Conserved and None-Conserved Functions of the Rice Homologs of the Arabidopsis Trichome Initiation-Regulating MBW Complex Proteins

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaijie Zheng ◽  
Xutong Wang ◽  
Yating Wang ◽  
Shucai Wang
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Anthocyanin Biosynthesis ◽  
Transcriptional Activator ◽  
Myb Transcription Factor ◽  
Bhlh Transcription Factor ◽  
Seed Color ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Root Hair Formation ◽  
Protoplast Transfection ◽  
Mbw Complex

Abstract Background: Trichome initiation in Arabidopsis is regulated by a MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) transcriptional activator complex formed by the R2R3 MYB transcription factor GLABRA1 (GL1), MYB23 or MYB82, the bHLH transcription factor GLABRA3 (GL3), ENHANCER OF GLABRA3 (EGL3) or TRANSPARENT TESTA8 (TT8), and the WD40-repeat protein TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 (TTG1). However, the functions of the rice homologs of the MBW complex proteins remained uncharacterized. Results: Based on amino acid sequence identity and similarity, and protein interaction prediction, we identified OsGL1s, OsGL3s and OsTTG1s as rice homologs of the MBW complex proteins. By using protoplast transfection, we show that OsGL1D, OsGL1E, OsGL3B and OsTTG1A were predominantly localized in the nucleus, OsGL3B functions as a transcriptional activator and is able to interact with GL1 and TTG1. By using yeast two hybridization and protoplast transfection assays, we show that OsGL3B is able to interact with OsGL1E and OsTTG1A, and OsGL1E and OsTTG1A are also able to interact with GL3. On the other hand, we found that OsGL1D functions as a transcription activator, and it can interact with GL3 but not OsGL3B. These results suggest that rice homologs of the Arabidopsis MBW complex proteins are able to form MBW complexes, but may have conserved and none-conserved functions. Furthermore, we found that expression of OsTTG1A in the ttg1 mutant restored the phenotypes including alternations in trichome and root hair formation, seed color, mucilage production and anthocyanin biosynthesis, indicating that OsTTG1A and TTG1 may have similar functions. Conclusion: These results aid in our understanding of the mechanism of trichome initiation in rice.

scholarly journals Genome-Wide Characterization and Analysis of bHLH Transcription Factors Related to Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Fig (Ficus carica L.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miaoyu Song ◽  
Haomiao Wang ◽  
Zhe Wang ◽  
Hantang Huang ◽  
Shangwu Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Anthocyanin Biosynthesis ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Ficus Carica ◽  
Functional Study ◽  
Anthocyanin Synthesis ◽  
Bhlh Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcription Factor Family ◽  
Genome Database ◽  
Bhlh Genes

The basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor family is the second largest transcription factor family in plants, and participates in various plant growth and development processes. A total of 118 bHLH genes were identified from fig (Ficus carica L.) by whole-genome database search. Phylogenetic analysis with Arabidopsis homologs divided them into 25 subfamilies. Most of the bHLHs in each subfamily shared a similar gene structure and conserved motifs. Seventy-two bHLHs were found expressed at fragments per kilobase per million mapped (FPKM) > 10 in the fig fruit; among them, 15 bHLHs from eight subfamilies had FPKM > 100 in at least one sample. bHLH subfamilies had different expression patterns in the female flower tissue and peel during fig fruit development. Comparing green and purple peel mutants, 13 bHLH genes had a significantly different (≥ 2-fold) expression. Light deprivation resulted in 68 significantly upregulated and 22 downregulated bHLH genes in the peel of the fruit. Sixteen bHLH genes in subfamily III were selected by three sets of transcriptomic data as candidate genes related to anthocyanin synthesis. Interaction network prediction and yeast two-hybrid screening verified the interaction between FcbHLH42 and anthocyanin synthesis-related genes. The transient expression of FcbHLH42 in tobacco led to an apparent anthocyanin accumulation. Our results confirm the first fig bHLH gene involved in fruit color development, laying the foundation for an in-depth functional study on other FcbHLH genes in fig fruit quality formation, and contributing to our understanding of the evolution of bHLH genes in other horticulturally important Ficus species.

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