title: Differential expression of XET-related genes in the leaf elongation zone of F. pratensis.
abstract: Festuca pratensis Huds. is a forage grass with the ability to withstand harsh climatic conditions. However, its potential agronomic use is limited by its poor competitive ability, which can be traced to limitations in leaf growth. In order to characterize this process and to identify genes which might function as markers for leaf growth, three XET-related genes in the leaf elongation zone (LEZ) of F. pratensis are reported. A detailed expression analysis is presented of the three genes in two F. pratensis genotypes with contrasting leaf growth characteristics grown under two nitrogen levels. By means of a detailed spatial analysis of growth and XET encoding transcript pattern along the LEZ, a specific correlation is shown between FpXET1 expression and tissue elongation that is maintained under the different growth conditions, while the two other XETs expressed in the LEZ show different transcript dynamics. Tissue localization of FpXET1 and FpXET2 transcripts indicate an accumulation throughout young tissue, which is consistent with the encoded proteins playing roles in cell wall modification processes during growth. It is proposed that FpXET1 is a potential marker for tissue elongation and leaf growth in F. pratensis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Plant Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Universitätsstrasse 2, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reidy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nösberger
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fleming
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002455:Cell Division; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005819:Genetic Markers; D016695:Glycosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D018519:Meristem / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000494:pharmacology; D010802:Phylogeny; D019441:Plant Epidermis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D006109:Poaceae / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000378:metabolism; D017421:Sequence Analysis; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018749:RNA, Plant; D016695:Glycosyltransferases; C073693:xyloglucan endotransglycosylase; D009584:Nitrogen