Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel RING zinc-finger protein gene up-regulated under in vitro salt stress in cassava.
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the world's most important food crops. It is cultivated mainly in developing countries of tropics, since its root is a major source of calories for low-income people due to its high productivity and resistance to many abiotic and biotic factors. A previous study has identified a partial cDNA sequence coding for a putative RING zinc finger in cassava storage root. The RING zinc finger protein is a specialized type of zinc finger protein found in many organisms. Here, we isolated the full-length cDNA sequence coding for M. esculenta RZF (MeRZF) protein by a combination of 5' and 3' RACE assays. BLAST analysis showed that its deduced amino acid sequence has a high level of similarity to plant proteins of RZF family. MeRZF protein contains a signature sequence motif for a RING zinc finger at its C-terminal region. In addition, this protein showed a histidine residue at the fifth coordination site, likely belonging to the RING-H2 subgroup, as confirmed by our phylogenetic analysis. There is also a transmembrane domain in its N-terminal region. Finally, semi-quantitative RT-PCR assays showed that MeRZF expression is increased in detached leaves treated with sodium chloride. Here, we report the first evidence of a RING zinc finger gene of cassava showing potential role in response to salt stress.
Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil.
Sávio Pinho
SP
dos Reis
Liliane de Souza Conceição
Lde S
Tavares
Carinne de Nazaré Monteiro
Cde N
Costa
Aílton Borges Santa
AB
Brígida
Cláudia Regina Batista
CR
de Souza
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D002365:Manihot / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D054712:Salinity; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015854:Up-Regulation; D016335:Zinc Fingers
D010940:Plant Proteins; D012965:Sodium Chloride