As a kind of enzyme widely existing in eukaryotic species, especially in grains and oil seeds, phytases play an important role in the degradation of some phosphates containing organic molecules. So far, phytases derived from various species have been successfully used as animal feed additives. It has also been experimentally verified that phytases have a potential use in generating crop germplasm with high phosphorus use efficiency, based on their biochemical role in releasing Pi from the phytate and its derivatives. In this paper, the biochemical properties, molecular characterizations, functions and the potential application perspective of phytases are reviewed and commented on, aiming at the further exploration of the biochemical and molecular characterizations, and promotion of the application of phytases, a kind of important enzyme possessing potential use in animal feeding and creation of high P use crop cultivars, in the future.
Phosphorus is one of the essential mineral nutrients required by all living cells. Phosphate mobilization into the plant is a complex process in which the absorption and translocation of this major nutrient are determined largely by the phosphate (Pi) transporters. In this paper, the recent progress on the plant phosphate (Pi) transporter genes, such as the molecular characterizations, expression patterns in response to Pi status, other inorganic nutrients, and the other factors, expression regulations via arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, mechanisms of transcriptional regulation, functional identification approaches, and the gene engineering perspectives on improvement of plant phosphorus nutrition, etc., have been reviewed. The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical basis for further elucidation of the molecular mechanism of Pi transportation mediated by Pi transporters and to promote the generation of elite crop germplasms with a significant improvement in phosphorus use efficiency in the future.
Premature senescence at the late developmental stage occurs frequently in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in North China. It is desirable to develop elite cotton cultivars with non-premature senescence and high photosynthetic capacity. In this study, cDNAamplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) analysis was employed to identify the genes that are related to senescence in cotton. Using 64 primer combinations, about 3000 cDNA fragments were generated, and among them 42 had a markedly up-regulated expression pattern with the leaf growth progression. Based on cloning, sequencing, and Blast search analysis, it was determined that 24 TDFs with putative known biologic functions could be classified into several major categories, such as signal transduction, transcription regulation, stress-responsive, primary and secondary metabolism, nutrients recycling, photosynthesis, cell wall biosynthesis, and senescencerelated. TDF31, TDF32 and TDF33, with high similarity to the senescent-regulating genes MAP kinase 9 (MKK9) and non-yellowing protein 1(NYE1) from Arabidopsis and bean senescence-associated receptor-like kinase (SARK) could play possible roles in responding or modulating the leaf senescence in cotton. Therefore, leaf senescence in cotton is a complicated network involving many biological processes. Some putative genes with important modulation functions in regulating or responding to the senescence need to be further analyzed.
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