Abstract
Based on the sequence of an expressed sequence tag of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Zhongmu-1), a full-length sequence of 1,551 nucleotides was isolated using RACE-PCR techniques. This gene (MsRBP) was predicted to encode a protein of 409 amino acids, which contained three RNA recognition motifs comprising highly conserved RNA-binding domains at the N-terminus. Sequence analysis indicated that the C-terminus of MsRBP was rich in proline and glutamine residues. Subcellular location analysis suggested that MsRBP preferentially localized in the nucleus. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR analysis showed that the transcript level of MsRBP was upregulated after treating with 20 % polyethylene glycol (PEG6000), 100 μM abscisic acid, or 300 mM NaCl. Compared with the wild-type plant, transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing MsRBP displayed retarded germination and root growth under salt stress. The results suggested that MsRBP may play a negative role in salt stress regulation of alfalfa.
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This work was supported by Basic Scientific Research Fund of IAS-CAAS (2014ywf-zd-2) and China Forage and Grass Research System (CARS-35-04).
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Ruicai Long and Huiming Wang contributed equally to this work.
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Long, R., Wang, H., Shen, Y. et al. Molecular cloning and functional analysis of a salt-induced gene encoding an RNA-binding protein in alfalfa. Mol Breeding 34, 1465–1473 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-014-0130-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-014-0130-3