title: Expression and Functional Analysis of a Novel Group of Legume-specific WRKY and Exo70 Protein Variants from Soybean.
abstract: Legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiosis with microorganisms and contain special traits in nitrogen assimilation and associated processes. Recently, we have reported a novel WRKY-related protein (GmWRP1) and a new clade of Exo70 proteins (GmExo70J) from soybean with homologs found only in legumes. GmWRP1 and some of the GmExo70J proteins are localized to Golgi apparatus through a novel N-terminal transmembrane domain. Here, we report further analysis of expression and functions of the novel GmWRP1 and GmExo70J genes. Promoter-GUS analysis in Arabidopsis revealed distinct tissue-specific expression patterns of the GmExo70J genes not only in vegetative but also in reproductive organs including mature tissues, where expression of previously characterized Exo70 genes is usually absent. Furthermore, expression of some GmExo70J genes including GmExo70J1, GmExo70J6 and GmExo70J7 increases greatly in floral organ-supporting receptacles during the development and maturation of siliques, indicating a possible role in seed development. More importantly, suppression of GmWRP1, GmExo70J7, GmExo70J8 and GmExo70J9 expression in soybean using virus- or artificial microRNA-mediated gene silencing resulted in accelerated leaf senescence and reduced nodule formation. These results strongly suggest that legume-specific GmWRP1 and GmExo70J proteins play important roles not only in legume symbiosis but also in other processes critical for legume growth and development.
authors: Department of Horticulture, Zijingang Campus, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
authors: Ze
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Horticulture, Zijingang Campus, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
authors: Panfeng
authors: P
authors: Li
authors: Department of Horticulture, Zijingang Campus, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Horticulture, Zijingang Campus, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
authors: Yingjun
authors: Y
authors: Chi
authors: Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, 915 W. State Street, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
authors: Baofang
authors: B
authors: Fan
authors: Department of Horticulture, Zijingang Campus, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.|Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, 915 W. State Street, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
authors: Zhixiang
authors: Z
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D060054:Agrobacterium / Q000502:physiology; D017360:Arabidopsis; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000235:genetics; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D020868:Gene Silencing; D017343:Genes, Plant; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D009029:Mosaic Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D005810:Multigene Family; D009928:Organ Specificity; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D055170:Plant Root Nodulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D000072417:Protein Domains; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D053204:Root Nodules, Plant / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D013025:Glycine max / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D030262:Soybean Proteins