title: Isolation, classification and transcription profiles of the AP2/ERF transcription factor superfamily in citrus.
abstract: The AP2/ERF gene family encodes plant-specific transcription factors. In model plants, AP2/ERF genes have been shown to be expressed in response to developmental and environmental stimuli, and many function downstream of the ethylene, biotic, and abiotic stress signaling pathways. In citrus, ethylene is effective in regulation citrus fruit quality, such as degreening and aroma. However, information about the citrus AP2/ERF family is limited, and would enhance our understanding of fruit responses to environmental stress, fruit development and quality. CitAP2/ERF genes were isolated using the citrus genome database, and their expression patterns analyzed by real-time PCR using various orange organs and samples from a fruit developmental series. 126 sequences with homologies to AP2/ERF proteins were identified from the citrus genome, and, on the basis of their structure and sequence, assigned to the ERF family (102), AP2 family (18), RAV family (4) and Soloist (2). MEME motif analysis predicted the defining AP2/ERF domain and EAR repressor domains. Analysis of transcript accumulation in Citrus sinensis cv. 'Newhall' indicated that CitAP2/ERF genes show organ-specific and temporal expression, and provided a framework for understanding the transcriptional regulatory roles of AP2/ERF gene family members in citrus. Hierarchical cluster analysis and t tests identified regulators that potentially function during orange fruit growth and development.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Fruit Quality Biology/The State Agriculture Ministry Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiu-lan
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Shu-ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Xue-ren
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Chong-de
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grierson
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Kun-song
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002957:Citrus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005638:Fruit / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018745:Genome, Plant; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013045:Species Specificity; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2; C093680:ethylene-responsive element binding protein