title: Molecular characterization of a Cyrtochilum loxense Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor-like Kinase (SERK) gene expressed during somatic embryogenesis.
abstract: Somatic embryogenesis is crucial for the propagation of endangered Ecuadorian orchid species, among them Cyrtochilum loxense, in view of the fact that their number in nature or in collections is quite reduced. One of the genes expressed during somatic and zygotic embryogenesis is Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor-like Kinase (SERK). Despite the development of somatic embryogenesis protocols for orchids, no SERK genes have been isolated from this family. This is the first report on the isolation of a full-length orchid SERK sequence, namely that of Cyrtochilum loxense (ClSERK). The identity of ClSERK was inferred by the presence of all domains typical of SERK proteins: a signal peptide, a leucine zipper domain, five LRRs, a serine proline-rich domain, a transmembrane domain, a kinase domain, and the C-terminal region. We have observed that the ClSERK gene is highly expressed in embryogenic calluses generated from protocorms at the time of appearance of embryonic morphological features. At later stages when embryos become well visible on calluses, ClSERK gene expression decreases. Compared to early stages of embryo formation on calluses, the expression detected in leaf tissue is far lower, thus suggesting a role of this gene during development.
authors.affiliation: Ecology Institute, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador. acueva@utpl.edu.ec
authors.forename: Augusta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cueva
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Concia
authors.forename: Rino
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cella
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016366:Open Reading Frames / Q000235:genetics; D029595:Orchidaceae / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D011494:Protein Kinases