The advantages of cDNA microarray as an effective tool for identification of reproductive organ‐specific genes in a model legume, Lotus japonicus

Abstract

To understand the molecular mechanisms intrinsic to reproductive organ development a cDNA microarray, fabricated from flower bud cDNA clones, was used to isolate genes, which are specifically expressed during the development of the anther and pistil in Lotus japonicus. Cluster analysis of the microarray data revealed 21 and 111 independent cDNA groups, which were specifically expressed in immature and mature anthers, respectively. RT-PCR was performed to provide a direct assessment of the accuracy and reproducibility of our approach. Confirmation of our results suggests that cDNA microarray technology is an effective tool for identification of novel reproductive organ-specific genes. ß

Using Genomics to Study Legume Seed Development

“…Currently, Medicago, Lotus, and soybean cDNA and oligonucleotide microarrays are available (Endo et al, 2002;Vodkin et al, 2004;Firnhaber et al, 2005). An increasing collection of legume seed transcriptome and proteomic data (Thibaud-Nissen et al, 2003;Firnhaber et al, 2005;Hajduch et al, 2005;Buitink et al, 2006;Dhaubhadel et al, 2007), cDNA library collections, and public EST databases (Journet et al, 2002;Shoemaker et al, 2002;Asamizu et al, 2004;Firnhaber et al, 2005;Ramirez et al, 2005) have helped to provide a global view of gene activity at specific seed developmental stages.…”

Molecular characterization of two anther-specific genes encoding putative RNA-binding proteins, AtRBP45s, in Arabidopsis thaliana

“…E-mail: makikokk@naro.affrc.go.jp ** Corresponding author. E-mail: nabe@ige.tohoku.ac.jp and Oryza sativa , were isolated and partially characterized (Endo et al 2000;2002a;2002b;Masuko et al 2006. Among these genes, one interesting anther-and/or pollen-specific gene ( LjMfb-U93 ; referred to as LjRRM1 hereafter), which has putative RRMs, from Lotus japonicus was found (Endo et al 2002b;Masuko et al 2006).…”

“…E-mail: nabe@ige.tohoku.ac.jp and Oryza sativa , were isolated and partially characterized (Endo et al 2000;2002a;2002b;Masuko et al 2006. Among these genes, one interesting anther-and/or pollen-specific gene ( LjMfb-U93 ; referred to as LjRRM1 hereafter), which has putative RRMs, from Lotus japonicus was found (Endo et al 2002b;Masuko et al 2006). In this report, we analyzed the highly homologous genes ( AtRBP45a , AtRBP45b , and AtRBP45c named by Lorkovic et al 2000) of another model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana , in terms of its putative functional domains and expression pattern.…”

Achievement of genetics in plant reproduction research: the past decade for the coming decade

“…During pollen maturation, the sporophytic tapetum acts as nurse cells for providing nutrition and materials of the pollen wall, and disintegrates in the later stage of the pollen development (Goldberg et al, 1993;Scott et al, 2004). Gene expression in the anther has been intensively studied in important crops and model plants by using conventional cDNA cloning, promoter analysis and microarray (Borg et al, 2009;Honeys and Twell, 2004;Koltunow et al, 1990;Scott et al, 1991;Hihara et al, 1996;Rubinelli et al, 1998;Jeon et al, 1999;Endo et al, 2002Endo et al, , 2004Amagai et al, 2003;Masuko et al, 2006). In mature pollen grain, pollenspecific transcripts related to cell cytoskeleton, cell-wall re-organization, methionine metabolism, proton pump, and sugar transporter have been detected, whereas as tapetum-specific transcripts related to second metabolisms, fatty acid biosynthesis, protein secretion, and gibberellin signaling cascade have been detected.…”