Heterotrimeric G–proteins in Picea abies and their regulation in response to Heterobasidion annosum s.l. infection. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Vries, Sophie; Nemesio-Gorriz, Miguel; Blair, Peter; Karlsson, Magnus; Mukhtar, M.; Elfstrand, Malin
• Is Part Of: BMC plant biology. Volume 15:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Picea abies -- Heterotrimeric G-protein -- Gγ-subunit -- Evolution -- Heterobasidion annosum; Plant molecular biology -- Periodicals; Botany -- Periodicals; 580.5
• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-015-0676-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2229

Abstract

Abstract Background Heterotrimeric G-proteins are important signalling switches, present in all eukaryotic kingdoms. In plants they regulate several developmental functions and play an important role in plant-microbe interactions. The current knowledge on plant G-proteins is mostly based on model angiosperms and little is known about the G-protein repertoire and function in other lineages. In this study we investigate the heterotrimeric G-protein subunit repertoire in Pinaceae, including phylogenetic relationships, radiation and sequence diversity levels in relation to other plant linages. We also investigate functional diversification of the G-protein complex inPicea abies by analysing transcriptional regulation of the G-protein subunits in different tissues and in response to pathogen infection. Results A full repertoire of G-protein subunits in several conifer species were identifiedin silico . The full-lengthP. abies coding regions of one Gα-, one Gβ- and four Gγ-subunits were cloned and sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis of the Gγ-subunits showed that PaGG1 clustered with A-type-like subunits, PaGG3 and PaGG4 clustered with C-type-like subunits, while PaGG2 and its orthologs represented a novel conifer-specific putative Gγ-subunit type. Gene expression analyses by quantitative PCR ofP. abies G-protein subunits showed specific up-regulation of the Gα-subunit genePaGPA1 and the Gγ-subunit genePaGG1 in response toHeterobasidion annosum sensu lato infection. Conclusions Conifers possess a full repertoire of G-protein subunits. The differential regulation ofPaGPA1 andPaGG1 indicates that the heterotrimeric G-protein complex represents a critical linchpin inHeterobasidion annosum s.l. perception and downstream signaling inP. abies.