title: Identification and functional analysis of the ICK gene family in maize.
abstract: Inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (ICKs) are key regulators of cyclin-dependent kinase activities and cell division. Herein, we identified eight ICKs in maize, which we named Zeama;ICKs (ZmICKs). Primary sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were used to divide the ZmICK family into two classes: group B and group C. Subcellular localization analysis of ZmICK:enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) fusion constructs in tobacco leaf cells indicated that ZmICKs are principally nuclear. Co-localization analysis of the ZmICKs and maize A-type cyclin-dependent kinase (ZmCDKA) was also performed using enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and red fluorescent protein (RFP) fusion constructs. The ZmICKs and ZmCDKA co-localized in the nucleus. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the ZmICKs showed that they were expressed at different levels in all tissues examined and shared similar expression patterns with cell cycle-related genes. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed that ZmICK1, ZmICK2, ZmICK3, and ZmICK4 interact with ZmCDKA1 and ZmCDKA3. Interestingly, ZmICK7 interacts with D-type cyclins. Transformed and expressed ZmCDKA1 and ZmICKs together in fission yeast revealed that ZmICK1, ZmICK3, and ZmICK4 can affect ZmCDKA1 function. Moreover, the C-group of ZmICKs could interact with ZmCDKA1 directly and affect ZmCDKA1 function, suggesting that C-group ZmICKs are important for cell division regulation.
authors.affiliation: College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Qianlin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Chunxia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Yongbin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Huanhuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Yangping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Guowu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Hanmei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Junjie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Yinghong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Yufeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Yubi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D050756:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011485:Protein Binding; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D050756:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins