Muhammad Zaheer1, Shoaib Ur Rehman2, Sultan Habibullah Khan3, Shahmeer Shahid2, Awais Rasheed4, Rabia Naz5, Muhammad Sajjad6. 1. Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan. 2. Institute of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, 60000, Pakistan. 3. Centre for Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan. 4. Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. 5. Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan. rabia.naz@comsats.edu.pk. 6. Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan. muhammad.sajjad@comsats.edu.pk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The COBL genes encode a plant-specific glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein. Recently identified COBRA genes are supposed as a key regulator of the orientation of cell expansion in the root indicating that COBRA gene family members are likely to be important players at the plasma membrane-cell wall interface. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five COBL gene namely, TaCOBL 1, TaCOBL 2, TaCOBL 3, TaCOBL 4 and TaCOBL 5 were identified using database search and domain predictions. Chromosomal location of each gene was mapped on karyotype. Structure of genes, promoter analysis and phylogenetic analysis were performed using different bioinformatics tools. Set of novel SNPs were also predicted. Gene ontologies were analyzed, and the processes and pathways were identified in which COBRA genes were involved. The molecular weight all the cobra proteins was in range of 50-75 KDa with 429-461 amino acid residues. The COBL genes were mapped on homeologous groups 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Gene ontology analysis revealed that TaCOBL genes were involved in cellulose microfibril organization, mucilage biosynthetic process involved in seed coat development, plant-type cell wall biogenesis plant-type cell wall cellulose biosynthetic process, seed coat development and seed development. Three drought responsive cis-elements (WRKY, ABRE and DRE) were found nearby COBL genes The qRT-PCR revealed TaCOBL genes are drought responsive and can be further explored to understand their role in drought tolerance in wheat. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive annotation and expression profiling of COBL genes revealed that all five COBL genes are drought response. The promoter cis-regulatory element analysis revealed that COBL genes had stress related WRKY, ABRE and DRE cis-regulatory elements. This evidence suggest that TaCOBL genes are involved in drought stress tolerance.
BACKGROUND: The COBL genes encode a plant-specific glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein. Recently identified COBRA genes are supposed as a key regulator of the orientation of cell expansion in the root indicating that COBRA gene family members are likely to be important players at the plasma membrane-cell wall interface. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five COBL gene namely, TaCOBL 1, TaCOBL 2, TaCOBL 3, TaCOBL 4 and TaCOBL 5 were identified using database search and domain predictions. Chromosomal location of each gene was mapped on karyotype. Structure of genes, promoter analysis and phylogenetic analysis were performed using different bioinformatics tools. Set of novel SNPs were also predicted. Gene ontologies were analyzed, and the processes and pathways were identified in which COBRA genes were involved. The molecular weight all the cobra proteins was in range of 50-75 KDa with 429-461 amino acid residues. The COBL genes were mapped on homeologous groups 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Gene ontology analysis revealed that TaCOBL genes were involved in cellulose microfibril organization, mucilage biosynthetic process involved in seed coat development, plant-type cell wall biogenesis plant-type cell wall cellulose biosynthetic process, seed coat development and seed development. Three drought responsive cis-elements (WRKY, ABRE and DRE) were found nearby COBL genes The qRT-PCR revealed TaCOBL genes are drought responsive and can be further explored to understand their role in drought tolerance in wheat. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive annotation and expression profiling of COBL genes revealed that all five COBL genes are drought response. The promoter cis-regulatory element analysis revealed that COBL genes had stress related WRKY, ABRE and DRE cis-regulatory elements. This evidence suggest that TaCOBL genes are involved in drought stress tolerance.
Authors: Frank Hochholdinger; Tsui-Jung Wen; Roman Zimmermann; Patricia Chimot-Marolle; Oswaldo da Costa e Silva; Wesley Bruce; Kendall R Lamkey; Udo Wienand; Patrick S Schnable Journal: Plant J Date: 2008-02-23 Impact factor: 6.417