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The COBRA gene family in Populus and gene expression in vegetative organs and in response to hormones and environmental stresses

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Abstract

COBRA proteins have been shown to be involved in both cell wall expansion and/or cellulose deposition. In this paper, we analyzed all 18 COBRA genes (PtCOBRA) from the completely sequenced Populus trichocarpa genome. The 14-member PtCOBRA subfamily I proteins have high similarities to the Arabidopsis (At) COB subfamily, and members with full length sequences were predicted to possess significant potentials for a GPI-anchor site. The 4-member PtCOBRA subfamily II proteins are 45% longer than subfamily I proteins and lack ω-attachment sites at the C terminus, and are more similar to AtCOBL7 subfamily. The expression of the Populus COBRA family genes were regulated in a tissue-specific manner, and were shown to also respond differentially to inductions of hormones and environmental stimuli which affect plant cell expansion. The high levels of expressions, particularly in shoot tip and young root organs, suggests that at least some Populus COBRA genes are likely involved in regulating cell expansion.

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Abbreviations

ABA:

Abscisic acid

BA:

6-Benzylaminopurine

BR:

Brassinosteroids

GA:

Gibberellic acid

JA:

Jasmonic acid

IAA:

Indole-3-acetic acid

PEG:

Polyethylene glycol

SA:

Salicylic acid

SF:

Subfamily

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA

    Xia Ye, Byung-guk Kang, Lori D. Osburn & Zong-Ming Cheng

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  1. Xia Ye
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  2. Byung-guk Kang
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  3. Lori D. Osburn
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  4. Zong-Ming Cheng
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Correspondence to Zong-Ming Cheng.

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Ye, X., Kang, Bg., Osburn, L.D. et al. The COBRA gene family in Populus and gene expression in vegetative organs and in response to hormones and environmental stresses. Plant Growth Regul 58, 211–223 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-009-9369-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-009-9369-9

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