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Cloning and characterization of a thaumatin-like protein gene PeTLP in Populus deltoides × P. euramericana cv. ‘Nanlin895’

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Abstract

Thaumatin-like protein (TLP) genes constitute a large, highly complex gene family involved in host defense against abiotic stresses, as well as other physiological processes. However, their functions in the abiotic stress-induced defense response in poplar remain largely unknown. In this study, one full-length cDNA from a hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × P. euramericana cv. ‘Nanlin895’) that encodes a TLP was isolated by RACE and designated PeTLP. The deduced amino acid sequence of PeTLP encodes a protein of a predicted molecular mass 24.5 kDa and a pI of 8.19. Transcript of PeTLP accumulated in stems, but the gene showed low transcriptional levels in roots and leaves. PeTLP was upregulated in leaves after abiotic treatments, including 200 mM NaCl, 10 % PEG6000, 100 μM gibberellin, 1 mM salicylic acid and 100 μM abscisic acid. Subcellular localization analysis showed that GFP-tagged PeTLP predominantly localizes as discrete points in the cytoplasm and the periphery of the plasma membrane. Recombinant PeTLP obtained using Escherichia coli expression produced antifungal activities to Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus niger and Penicillium citrinum. These results suggest that PeTLP is an abiotic stresses-induced protein and plays roles in physiological processes of poplar development, and is involved in the defense of poplar against abiotic stresses. Manipulation of PeTLP in poplar or other trees should improve their performance under various abiotic stress conditions.

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Abbreviations

ABA:

Abscisic acid

GA:

Gibberellin

GFP:

Green fluorescent protein

IPTG:

Isopropylthio-β-galactoside

MS:

Murashige and Skoog (1962)

OLP:

Osmotin-like protein

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

RACE:

Rapid amplification of cDNA ends

SA:

Salicylic acid

TLP:

Thaumatin-like protein

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Jiahong Ren for providing all fungal species and technical assistance with the antifungal experiments. We also thank Dr. Guojia Ma for revision advice on this manuscript. This work was supported by the National 863 Program of China (No. 2013AA102703), the National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding and Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education (No. FOP 2010-8), Postdoctoral Funding Project Plan in Jiangsu Province (No. 1002021B), the Program for Innovative Research Team in University of Educational Department and Jiangsu Province, China, and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.

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  1. Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China

    Like Wang, Liheng Yang, Jiaxin Zhang, Jing Dong, Juan Yu, Jie Zhou & Qiang Zhuge

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Correspondence to Qiang Zhuge.

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Communicated by J.-H. Liu.

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Wang, L., Yang, L., Zhang, J. et al. Cloning and characterization of a thaumatin-like protein gene PeTLP in Populus deltoides × P. euramericana cv. ‘Nanlin895’. Acta Physiol Plant 35, 2985–2998 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-013-1330-x

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