title: Floral Nectary Morphology and Proteomic Analysis of Nectar of Liriodendron tulipifera Linn.
abstract: Nectar is a primary nutrient reward for a variety of pollinators. Recent studies have demonstrated that nectar also has defensive functions against microbial invasion. In this study, the Liriodendron tulipifera nectary was first examined by scanning electron microscopy, and then the nectar was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, which led to identification of 42 nectar proteins involved in various biological functions. Bioinformatic analysis was then performed on an identified novel rubber elongation factor (REF) protein in L. tulipifera nectar. The protein was particularly abundant, representing ∼60% of the major bands of 31 to 43 kDa, and showed high, stage-specific expression in nectary tissue. The REF family proteins are the major allergens in latex. We propose that REF in L. tulipifera nectar has defensive characteristics against microorganisms.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China.
authors.forename: Yanwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China.
authors.forename: Meiping
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China.
authors.forename: Fangfang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: College of Life and Environment Science, Huangshan University Huangshan, China.
authors.forename: Hongguang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zha
authors.affiliation: School of Life science, Huaiyin Normal University Huai'an, China.
authors.forename: Liming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China.
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China.
authors.forename: Guangping
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China.
authors.forename: Jisen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China.
authors.forename: Jinhui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: Liriodendron tulipifera; defense; morphology; nectar protein; proteomics