title: Molecular cloning and characterization of a cassava translationally controlled tumor protein gene potentially related to salt stress response.
abstract: Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the most important tropical crops showing tolerance to abiotic stress and adaptations to a wide range of environmental conditions. Here, we aimed to isolate and characterize the full-length cDNA and genomic sequences of a cassava translationally controlled tumor protein gene (MeTCTP), and evaluate its potential role in response to salt stress. The MeTCTP full-length cDNA sequence encodes for a deduced protein with 168 amino acid residues, with theoretical isoelectric point and molecular weight of 4.53 and 19 kDa, respectively, containing two putative signatures of TCTP family and one site for myristoylation. The MeTCTP genomic sequence includes four introns and five exons within a 1,643 bp coding region, and a 264 bp partial promoter sequence containing several putative cis-acting regulatory elements, among them, two putative GT-1 motifs, which may be related to response to sodium chloride (NaCl) and pathogen infection. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR assays showed that MeTCTP transcripts were higher in roots than leaves, and were significantly increased in detached leaves treated with NaCl. Furthermore, the recombinant MeTCTP conferred a protective function against salt stress in bacterial cells. We report for the first time the molecular cloning and characterization of a cassava TCTP with potential role in salt-stress response. Since salinity is one the most important abiotic factors affecting the production of crops worldwide, the MeTCTP gene could be a candidate gene for generation of salt tolerant crops.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Guamá, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ailton Borges
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Santa Brígida
authors.forename: Sávio Pinho
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: dos Reis
authors.forename: Carinne de Nazaré Monteirou
authors.initials: Cde N
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Cristina Michiko Yokoyama
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Aline Medeiros
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Cláudia Regina Batista
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: de Souza
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D002365:Manihot / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D055049:Salt Tolerance / Q000235:genetics*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D000090324:Tumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000090324:Tumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1