Identification and tissue specific expression analysis of MKRN gene in rice
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Author:THANGAVELU U. ARUMUGAM1*, RAVEENDRAN MUTHURAJAN2, SENTHIL NATESAN2, AND SHUNNOSUKE ABE1
p-ISSN:0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol:94, Issue:jan-jun
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100636
Abstract
The makorin (MKRN) RING finger protein gene family encodes proteins
(makorins) with a characteristic array of zinc-finger motifs and which are present
in a wide array of eukaryotes. In the present study, the structure and expression
of a putative makorin RING finger protein gene were analyzed in rice (Oryza sativa
L. ssp. japonica cv. Nipponbare). From the analysis of the genomic (AP003543), mRNA
(AK120250) and deduced protein (BAD61603) sequences of the putative MKRN gene
of rice obtained from GenBank, it was found that it was indeed a bona fide member
of the MKRN gene family. The rice MKRN cDNA encoded a protein with four C3H
zinc-finger-motifs, one putative Cys-His zinc-finger motif, and one RING zinc-finger
motif. The presence of this distinct motif organization and overall amino acid identity
clearly indicated that this gene was indeed a true MKRN ortholog. Isolated RNA from
embryonic axes of rice seeds at various stages of imbibition and germination and
were studied for the temporal expression profile of MKRN by RT-PCR. This analysis
revealed that MKRN transcripts were present at all the time points studied. It was
at very low levels in dry seeds, increased slowly during imbibition and germination,
and slightly declined in the seedling growth stage. After 6 days of germination, an
organ-dependent expression pattern of MKRN was observed: highest in roots and
moderate in leaves. Similarly to MKRN transcripts, transcripts of cytoskeletal actin
and tubulin were also detected in dry embryos, steadily increased during imbibition
and germination and leveled off after 24 hours of germination. The presence of MKRN
transcripts in dry seeds, its early induction during germination and its continued
spatiotemporal expression during early vegetative growth suggest that MKRN has an
important role in germination, leaf and lateral root morphogenesis and overall
development in rice
Key words : Gene expression, germination, makorin, rice, RT-PCR