© 2007 Heron Publishing—Victoria, Canada
Molecular cloning, expression analyses and primary evolution studies of REV- and TB1-like genes in bamboo
Hua-Zheng Peng (1, 2, 3, 4), Er-Pei Lin (1, 4), Qing-Liang Sang (1), Sheng Yao (1), Qun-Ying Jin (2), Xi-Qi Hua (2) and Mu-Yuan Zhu (1, 3)
1. State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058,
Zhejiang, P.R. China / 2. Zhejiang Forestry Academy, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, P.R. China / 3. Corresponding authors (phz@21cn.com, myzhu@zju.edu.cn) / 4. These authors contributed equally to this work / Received August 26, 2006; accepted December 6, 2006; published online June 1, 2007
Summary
Most cultured bamboos are perennial woody evergreens that reproduce from rhizomes. It is unclear why some rhizome buds develop
into aerial bamboo shoots instead of new rhizomes. REVOLUTA (REV)-like Class III homeodomain leucine-zipper (HD-Zip) proteins
and TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 (TB1)-like transcription factors have been shown to play regulatory roles in meristem initiation and
outgrowth. We cloned and analyzed the bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox C.D. Chu & C.S. Chao.) REV- (PpHB1) and TB1-like (PpTB1) gene. Gene expression was mainly detected by in situ hybridization. PpHB1 expression was detected in the tips of lateral buds, on the adaxial portion of the leaf and within the developing procambium,
indicating its close correlation to rhizome bud formation and procambial development. PpTB1 expression was mainly detected on the top of buds at later developmental stages, suggesting it was more likely involved in
bud outgrowth. Meristem genes might therefore serve as specific molecular markers of rhizome bud development and could be
useful in studies designed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying bamboo shoot development. In addition, meristem genes such
as TB1-like sequences may be useful in phylogenetic analyses of bamboo species.
Keywords:
bamboo evolution, meristem development, Phyllostachys praecox.
