Zhao Kai, Li Shuxuan, Yao Wenjing, Zhou Boru, Li Renhua, Jiang Tingbo
State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, China.
PeerJ. 2018 Mar 14;6:e4502. doi: 10.7717/peerj.4502. eCollection 2018.
The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor gene family is one of the largest gene families and extensively involved in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, limited studies are available on the gene family in poplar. In this study, we focused on 202 bHLH genes, exploring their DNA and protein sequences and physicochemical properties. According to their protein sequence similarities, we classified the genes into 25 groups with specific motif structures. In order to explore their expressions, we performed gene expression profiling using RNA-Seq and identified 19 genes that display tissue-differential expression patterns without treatment. Furthermore, we also performed gene expression profiling under salt stress. We found 74 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which are responsive to the treatment. A total of 18 of the 19 genes correspond well to the DEGs. We validated the results using reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR. This study lays the foundation for future studies on gene cloning, transgenes, and biological mechanisms.
基本螺旋-环-螺旋（bHLH）转录因子基因家族是最大的基因家族之一，广泛参与植物的生长、发育和应激反应。然而，关于杨树中该基因家族的研究较少。在本研究中，我们聚焦于202个bHLH基因，探究它们的DNA和蛋白质序列以及理化性质。根据它们的蛋白质序列相似性，我们将这些基因分为25组，每组具有特定的基序结构。为了探究它们的表达情况，我们利用RNA测序进行基因表达谱分析，并鉴定出19个未经处理时呈现组织差异表达模式的基因。此外，我们还在盐胁迫下进行了基因表达谱分析。我们发现了74个差异表达基因（DEG），它们对处理有响应。19个基因中的18个与差异表达基因高度对应。我们使用逆转录定量实时PCR验证了结果。本研究为未来基因克隆、转基因和生物学机制的研究奠定了基础。
