Expression analysis of the AtMLO gene family encoding plant-specific seven-transmembrane domain proteins.
The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome contains 15 genes encoding protein homologs of the barley mildew resistance locus o (MLO) protein biochemically shown to have a seven-transmembrane domain topology and localize to the plasma membrane. Towards elucidating the functions of MLOs, the largest family of seven-transmembrane domain proteins specific to plants, we comprehensively determined AtMLO gene expression patterns by a combination of experimental and in silico studies. Experimentation comprised analyses of transgenic Arabidopsis lines bearing promoter::Beta-glucuronidase (GUS) transcriptional fusions as well as semi-quantitative determination of transcripts by reverse transcription coupled to polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). These results were combined with information extracted from public gene profiling databases, and compared to the expression patterns of genes encoding the heterotrimeric G-protein subunits. We found that each AtMLO gene has a unique expression pattern and is regulated differently by a variety of biotic and/or abiotic stimuli, suggesting that AtMLO proteins function in diverse developmental and response processes. The expression of several phylogenetically closely-related AtMLO genes showed similar or overlapping tissue specificity and analogous responsiveness to external stimuli, suggesting functional redundancy, co-function, or antagonistic function(s).
Chen
Zhongying
Z
Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Hartmann
H Andreas
HA
Wu
Ming-Jing
MJ
Friedman
Erin J
EJ
Chen
Jin-Gui
JG
Pulley
Matthew
M
Schulze-Lefert
Paul
P
Panstruga
Ralph
R
Jones
Alan M
AM
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins