No abstract

NAC transcription factors are plant-specific and play important roles in plant development processes, response to biotic and abiotic cues and hormone signaling. However, to date, little is known about the NAC genes in canola (or oilseed rape, Brassica napus L.). In this study, a total of 60 NAC genes were identified from canola through a systematical analysis and mining of expressed sequence tags. Among these, the cDNA sequences of 41 NAC genes were successfully cloned. The translated protein sequences of canola NAC genes with the NAC genes from representative species were phylogenetically clustered into three major groups and multiple subgroups. The transcriptional activities of these BnaNAC proteins were assayed in yeast. In addition, by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, we further observed that some of these BnaNACs were regulated by different hormone stimuli or abiotic stresses. Interestingly, we successfully identified two novel BnaNACs, BnaNAC19 and BnaNAC82, which could elicit hypersensitive response-like cell death when expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, which was mediated by accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Overall, our work has laid a solid foundation for further characterization of this important NAC gene family in canola.

No abstract

The R2R3-MYB proteins comprise one of the largest families of transcription factors in plants. Although genome-wide analysis of this family has been carried out in some plant species, little is known about R2R3-MYB genes in canola (Brassica napus L.). In this study, we have identified 76 R2R3-MYB genes in the canola genome through mining of expressed sequence tags (ESTs). The cDNA sequences of 44 MYB genes were successfully cloned. The transcriptional activities of BnaMYB proteins encoded by these genes were assayed in yeast. The subcellular localizations of representative R2R3-MYB proteins were investigated through GFP fusion. Besides, the transcript abundance level analysis during abiotic conditions and ABA treatment identified a group of R2R3-MYB genes that responded to one or more treatments. Furthermore, we identified a previously functionally unknown MYB gene-BnaMYB78, which modulates reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana, through regulating the transcription of a few ROS- and defence-related genes. Taken together, this study has provided a solid foundation for understanding the roles and regulatory mechanism of canola R2R3-MYB genes.