title: Identification and VIGS-based characterization of Bx1 ortholog in rye (Secale cereale L.).
abstract: The first step of the benzoxazinoid (BX) synthesis pathway is catalyzed by an enzyme with indole-3-glycerol phosphate lyase activity encoded by 3 genes, Bx1, TSA and Igl. A gene highly homologous to maize and wheat Bx1 has been identified in rye. The goal of the study was to analyze the gene and to experimentally verify its role in the rye BX biosynthesis pathway as a rye ortholog of the Bx1 gene. Expression of the gene showed peak values 3 days after imbibition (dai) and at 21 dai it was undetectable. Changes of the BX content in leaves were highly correlated with the expression pattern until 21 dai. In plants older than 21 dai despite the undetectable expression of the analyzed gene there was still low accumulation of BXs. Function of the gene was verified by correlating its native expression and virus-induced silencing with BX accumulation. Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV)-based vectors were used to induce transcriptional (TGS) and posttranscriptional (PTGS) silencing of the analyzed gene. Both strategies (PTGS and TGS) significantly reduced the transcript level of the analyzed gene, and this was highly correlated with lowered BX content. Inoculation with virus-based vectors specifically induced expression of the analyzed gene, indicating up-regulation by biotic stressors. This is the first report of using the BSMV-based system for functional analysis of rye gene. The findings prove that the analyzed gene is a rye ortholog of the Bx1 gene. Its expression is developmentally regulated and is strongly induced by biotic stress. Stable accumulation of BXs in plants older than 21 dai associated with undetectable expression of ScBx1 indicates that the function of the ScBx1 in the BX biosynthesis is redundant with another gene. We anticipate that the unknown gene is a putative ortholog of the Igl, which still remains to be identified in rye.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute - National Research Institute, Blonie, Poland.
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Groszyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Crop Quality, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation State Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute - National Research Institute, Blonie, Poland.
authors.forename: Yuliya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yanushevska
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Crop Quality, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation State Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stochmal
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rakoczy-Trojanowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute - National Research Institute, Blonie, Poland.
authors.forename: Waclaw
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4735-0000
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Orczyk
mesh_terms: D048588:Benzoxazines / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D020868:Gene Silencing; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018525:Germination / Q000235:genetics; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D001467:Hordeum / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008190:Lyases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009029:Mosaic Viruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012434:Secale / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D014908:Triticum / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D048588:Benzoxazines; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D008190:Lyases