Identification and Functions of Caffeic Acid O-methyltransferase Genes in Maize
[Objective]Localization in genome and response to salt stress of the genes of caffeic acid O-methyltransferase(COMT),a key melatonin biosynthesis enzyme relating to plant growth,development,and stress resistance,in maize were studied.[Method]Structure,phylogenetics,and expressions of the COMT family in maize(ZmCOMT)were analyzed.Functions of the genes were verified by overexpressing ZmCOMT12 in Arabidopsis thaliana.[Result]Twenty-eight COMTs were identified in the maize genome and phylogenetically divided into Branch Ⅰand Branch II.Most of them were structurally similar with a like motif composition,and some had tissue specific expressions.As revealed by RT-PCR,ZmCOMTs could be induced by salt stress,indicating its association with the stress regulation.The overexpressed ZmCOMT12 significantly elevated the melatonin content and salt tolerance of Arabidopsis.[Conclusion]ZmCOMT12 was hypothesized as the melatonin synthesizing gene by the sequence alignment,genetic relationship,and protein structure analyses.
国家科技期刊平台
NSTL
万方数据
维普
