title: Identification and characterization of Argonaute gene family and meiosis-enriched Argonaute during sporogenesis in maize.
abstract: Argonaute (AGO) proteins play a key role in regulation of gene expression through small RNA-directed RNA cleavage and translational repression, and are essential for multiple developmental processes. In the present study, 17 AGO genes of maize (Zea mays L., ZmAGOs) were identified using a Hidden Markov Model and validated by rapid amplification of cDNA ends assay. Subsequently, quantitative PCR revealed that expressions of these genes were higher in reproductive than in vegetative tissues. AGOs presented five temporal and spatial expression patterns, which were likely modulated by DNA methylation, 5'-untranslated exons and microRNA-mediated feedback loops. Intriguingly, ZmAGO18b was highly expressed in tassels during meiosis. Furthermore, in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence showed that ZmAGO18b was enriched in the tapetum and germ cells in meiotic anthers. We hypothesized that ZmAGOs are highly expressed in reproductive tissues, and that ZmAGO18b is a tapetum and germ cell-specific member of the AGO family in maize.
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
authors.forename: Lihong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhijie
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Zuxin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000235:genetics; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011058:Pollen / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors; D003313:Zea mays / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins
keywords: Anther; Argonaute; gene expression; immunochemistry; meiosis