Analysis of gene expression and histone modification between C-4 and non-C-4 homologous genes of PPDK and PCK in maize

作者：Dong, Xiu-mei; Li, Yuan; Chao, Qing; Shen, Jie; Gong, Xiu-jie; Zhao, Biligen-gaowa; Wang, Bai-chen^*

来源：Photosynthesis Research, 2016, 129(1): 71-83.

DOI：10.1007/s11120-016-0271-9

• C-4 genes
• Non-C-4 homologous genes
• PPDK
• PCK
• Gene expression
• Histone modification

More efficient photosynthesis has allowed C-4 plants to adapt to more diverse ecosystems (such as hot and arid conditions) than C-3 plants. To better understand C-4 photosynthesis, we investigated the expression patterns of C-4 genes (C4PPDK and PCK1) and their non-C-4 homologous genes (CyPPDK1, CyPPDK2, and PCK2) in the different organs of maize (Zea mays). Both C-4 genes and non-C-4 genes showed organ-dependent expression patterns. The mRNA levels of C-4 genes were more abundant in leaf organ than in seeds at 25 days after pollination (DAP), while non-C-4 genes were mainly expressed in developing seeds. Further, acetylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9ac) positively correlates with mRNA levels of C-4 genes (C4PPDK and PCK1) in roots, stems, leaves, and seeds at 25 DAP, acetylation of histone H4 lysine 5 (H4K5ac) in the promoter regions of both C-4 (C4PPDK and PCK1) and non-C-4 genes (CyPPDK1, CyPPDK2, and PCK2) correlated well with their transcripts abundance in stems. In photosynthetic organs (stems and leaves), dimethylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me2) negatively correlated with mRNA levels of both C-4 and non-C-4 genes. Taken together, our data suggest that histone modification was involved in the transcription regulation of both C-4 genes and non-C-4 genes, which might provide a clue of the functional evolution of C-4 genes.

• 出版日期2016-7
• 单位东北林业大学; 黑龙江省农业科学院; 中国科学院大学