title: Molecular characterization and evolution of carnivorous sundew (Drosera rotundifolia L.) class V β-1,3-glucanase.
abstract: A gene for β-1,3-glucanase was isolated from carnivorous sundew. It is active in leaves and roots, but not in digestive glands. Analyses in transgenic tobacco suggest its function in germination. Ancestral plant β-1,3-glucanases (EC 3.2.1.39) played a role in cell division and cell wall remodelling, but divergent evolution has extended their roles in plant defense against stresses to decomposition of prey in carnivorous plants. As available gene sequences from carnivorous plants are rare, we isolated a glucanase gene from roundleaf sundew (Drosera rotundifolia L.) by a genome walking approach. Computational predictions recognized typical gene features and protein motifs described for other plant β-1,3-glucanases. Phylogenetic reconstructions suggest strong support for evolutionary relatedness to class V β-1,3-glucanases, including homologs that are active in the traps of related carnivorous species. The gene is expressed in sundew vegetative tissues but not in flowers and digestive glands, and encodes for a functional enzyme when expressed in transgenic tobacco. Detailed analyses of the supposed promoter both in silico and in transgenic tobacco suggest that this glucanase plays a role in development. Specific spatiotemporal activity was observed during transgenic seed germination. Later during growth, the sundew promoter was active in marginal and sub-marginal areas of apical true leaf meristems of young tobacco plants. These results suggest that the isolated glucanase gene is regulated endogenously, possibly by auxin. This is the first report on a nuclear gene study from sundew.
authors: Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Akademická 2, P.O. Box 39A, 950 07, Nitra, Slovak Republic.
authors: Jaroslav
authors: J
authors: Michalko
authors: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182-4614, USA.
authors: Tanya
authors: T
authors: Renner
authors: Department of Botany and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University, Nábrežie mládeže 91, 949 74, Nitra, Slovak Republic.
authors: Patrik
authors: P
authors: Mészáros
authors: Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Akademická 2, P.O. Box 39A, 950 07, Nitra, Slovak Republic.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Socha
authors: Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Akademická 2, P.O. Box 39A, 950 07, Nitra, Slovak Republic.
authors: Jana
authors: J
authors: Moravčíková
authors: Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina B2, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors: Alžbeta
authors: A
authors: Blehová
authors: Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Akademická 2, P.O. Box 39A, 950 07, Nitra, Slovak Republic.
authors: Jana
authors: J
authors: Libantová
authors: Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Akademická 2, P.O. Box 39A, 950 07, Nitra, Slovak Republic.
authors: Zuzana
authors: Z
authors: Polóniová
authors: Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Akademická 2, P.O. Box 39A, 950 07, Nitra, Slovak Republic. ildiko.matusikova@ucm.sk.|Department of Ecochemistry and Radioecology, University of SS. Cyril and Methodius, J. Herdu 2, 917 01, Trnava, Slovak Republic. ildiko.matusikova@ucm.sk.
authors: Ildikó
authors: I
authors: Matušíková
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D029787:Drosera / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D017343:Genes, Plant; D043326:Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000378:metabolism; D059372:Nucleotide Motifs; D010802:Phylogeny; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors; D005966:Glucuronidase; D043326:Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase
keywords: Cotyledons; Embryo hypocotyls; Glucanhydrolase; PR proteins