Abstract:
Objective The Class A basic leucine zipper protein(bZIP), which regulates genes carrying ABA-responsive elements associated with the environmental adaptations as well as growth, development, and physiological metabolism of plants, in cassava was studied.
Methods The Class A bZIP in cassava, MebZIP27, was cloned using RT-PCR technology to determine the functions of the gene transcription factors. Bioinformatic methods were applied to analyze properties of the gene and protein, fluorescence quantitative PCR employed to examine spatiotemporal expressions and responses to stress, and prokaryotic expression used to produce MebZIP27 protein.
Results MebZIP27 was in the 5th chromosome of cassava with a coding region of 1251 bp and characteristic bZIP domain features. It had the highest homology with the Class A bZIP sequences from Hevea rubber at 80.00% and Jatropha curcas at 85.41%, as a member of the A-bZIP subfamily. Located in nucleus, the gene had the highest expression found in the roots. Treatments of mannitol, NaCl or low temperature did not cause significant induction, but ABA and H2O2 did on it. Via the prokaryotic expression, MebZIP27 could be produced and purified using glutathione agarose bead separation techniques.
Conclusion Located in nucleus and belonged to the Class A bZIP gene family, MebZIP27 expressed most significantly in the storage roots of a cassava plant and by an ABA or H2O2 induction.