Molecular Characteristics and Expression Analysis of BoCOBL Gene from Green Bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii)

Abstract:

In order to understand the function of COBL similar protein in bamboo, BoCOBL, a COBL homologous gene, was clonned from Bambusa oldhamii by RT-PCR and RACE methods. The full-length cDNA of BoCOBL was 1743 bp (GenBank accession No.: EU247930). Sequence analysis showed that BoCOBL encoded 451 amino acids with a transmembrane helical structure at the N-terminal and a glycosylphosphatidylinositolanchored protein signal sequence at the C-terminal, which indicated that it was a membrane protein, belonging to glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-anchored protein family. The expression vector of BoCOBL::GFP was constructed and transformed into suspension cells of tobacco. The BoCOBL::GFP proteins were mainly located on the cytoplasmic membrane, while the control of GFP proteins was non-specific in the transformed cells. So, it was confirmed that the protein encoded by BoCOBL was a membrane protein. The analysis of tissue specific expression indicated that the expression of BoCOBL was constitutive, with similar level in root, leaf and sheath, while slightly low in stem. These results would be helpful for further study on the function of BoCOBL in bamboo.

Key words:Bambusa oldhamii;COBRA like protein (COBL) gene;Molecular characteristics;Subcellular localization;Tissue specific expression