Identification and Characterization of PRE Genes in Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)

Abstract

Basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH)/HLH transcription factors are involved in various aspects of the growth and development of plants. Here, we identified four HLH genes, PePRE1-4, in moso bamboo plants that are homologous to Arabidopsis PRE genes. In bamboo seedlings, PePRE1/3 were found to be highly expressed in the internode and lamina joint by using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. In the elongating internode of bamboo shoots, PePRE genes are expressed at higher levels in the basal segment than in the mature top segment. Overexpression of PePREs (PePREs-OX) in Arabidopsis showed longer petioles and hypocotyls, as well as earlier flowering. PePRE1 overexpression restored the phenotype due to the deficiency of AtPRE genes caused by artificial micro-RNA. PePRE1-OX plants showed hypersensitivity to propiconazole treatment compared with the wild type. In addition, PePRE1/3 but not PePRE2/4 proteins accumulated as punctate structures in the cytosol, which was disrupted by the vesicle recycling inhibitor brefeldin A (BFA). PePRE genes have a positive function in the internode elongation of moso bamboo shoots, and overexpression of PePREs genes promotes flowering and growth in Arabidopsis. Our findings provided new insights about the fast-growing mechanism of bamboo shoots and the application of PRE genes from bamboo.

A bamboo bHLH transcription factor PeRHL4 has dual functions in enhancing drought and phosphorus starvation tolerance

“…The members, including AtbHLH68, AtbHLH006 and AtbHLH122, have been verified to mediate drought‐induced stress responses in Arabidopsis (Abe et al, 2003; Le Hir et al, 2017; Liu et al, 2014). A recent study revealed that PePREs may regulate bamboo shoot growth via multiple signalling pathways (Zheng et al, 2023). However, the molecular mechanisms of bHLH involved in the stress response of moso bamboo remain largely unknown.…”