Next Article in Journal
Requirements for Efficient Thiosulfate Oxidation in Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens
Previous Article in Journal
Transcriptome Analysis of Paraburkholderia phymatum under Nitrogen Starvation and during Symbiosis with Phaseolus Vulgaris
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
Journals
Genes
Volume 8
Issue 12
10.3390/genes8120391
genes-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Edit a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share announcement thumb_up
...
textsms
...
Open AccessArticle

Isolation and Characterization of Ftsz Genes in Cassava

by
Meng-Ting Geng
1,2,†,
Yi Min
2,†,
Yuan Yao
1,†,
Xia Chen
2,
Jie Fan
2,
Shuai Yuan
2,
Lei Wang
2,
Chong Sun
3,
Fan Zhang
2,
Lu Shang
2,
Yun-Lin Wang
2,
Rui-Mei Li
1,
Shao-Ping Fu
1,
Rui-Jun Duan
1,
Jiao Liu
1,
Xin-Wen Hu
2,* and
Jian-Chun Guo
1,*
1
Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, China
2
Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresource, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
3
College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Genes 2017, 8(12), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes8120391
Received: 18 October 2017 / Revised: 1 December 2017 / Accepted: 12 December 2017 / Published: 15 December 2017
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Genetics and Genomics)
Download PDF
Browse Figures

Abstract

The filamenting temperature-sensitive Z proteins (FtsZs) play an important role in plastid division. In this study, three FtsZ genes were isolated from the cassava genome, and named MeFtsZ1, MeFtsZ2-1, and MeFtsZ2-2, respectively. Based on phylogeny, the MeFtsZs were classified into two groups (FtsZ1 and FtsZ2). MeFtsZ1 with a putative signal peptide at N-terminal, has six exons, and is classed to FtsZ1 clade. MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 without a putative signal peptide, have seven exons, and are classed to FtsZ2 clade. Subcellular localization found that all the three MeFtsZs could locate in chloroplasts and form a ring in chloroplastids. Structure analysis found that all MeFtsZ proteins contain a conserved guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) domain in favor of generate contractile force for cassava plastid division. The expression profiles of MeFtsZ genes by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic tissues found that all of the MeFtsZ genes had higher expression levels in photosynthetic tissues, especially in younger leaves, and lower expression levels in the non-photosynthetic tissues. During cassava storage root development, the expressions of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 were comparatively higher than MeFtsZ1. The transformed Arabidopsis of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 contained abnormally shape, fewer number, and larger volume chloroplasts. Phytohormones were involved in regulating the expressions of MeFtsZ genes. Therefore, we deduced that all of the MeFtsZs play an important role in chloroplast division, and that MeFtsZ2 (2-1, 2-2) might be involved in amyloplast division and regulated by phytohormones during cassava storage root development.
Keywords: isolation; FtsZ; cassava; subcellular localization; gene expression; phytohormone response; plastid division; transgenic Arabidopsis isolation; FtsZ; cassava; subcellular localization; gene expression; phytohormone response; plastid division; transgenic Arabidopsis

1. Introduction

Plastids compose a metabolically varying group of organelles, which originated from endosymbiosis of an ancient cyanobacterium [1]. The chloroplast is the most conventional and best studied type of plastid, which is responsible for photosynthesis in all photosynthetic eukaryotes [2]. In addition, many non-photosynthetic plastids in plants perform other critical metabolic functions. For instance, the amyloplast, as one of the high differentiated plastids, is related to starch synthesis and storage in sink tissues, which is important for starch crops, such as cassava and potato. Starch granules that are synthesized within the amyloplast compartment are affected not only by enzyme activities required for sucrose metabolism and starch synthesis [3], but also by amyloplast division processes. Chloroplast division processes and mechanisms are well researched and understood. Several proteins, including FtsZ (filamenting temperature-sensitive Z) [4,5,6,7], ARC6 (accumulation and replication of chloroplasts 6) [8,9], ARC5 (accumulation and replication of chloroplasts 5) [10], PDV1 (plastid division 1), and PDV2 (plastid division 2) [11] form at least three contractile components in the plastids division site as follows: first assembled FtsZ ring (Z ring), ARC5 ring, and plastid-diving (PD) ring [12]. The first assembled Z ring is formed by FtsZ. The FtsZ protein serves as an essential scaffold to recruit the other plastid division related proteins and to generate contractile force by its guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) for plastid division. FtsZ genes have been found in various species of Viridiplantae, including many plants and algae, and these genes are clustered into two families, named as FtsZ1 and FtsZ2 [6,13,14]. Genetic analysis in Arabidopsis has showed that the FtsZ1 and FtsZ2 families have different functions in chloroplast division [15]. Recent studies have shown that the members of the FtsZ2 family have a closer relationship with their cyanobacterial counterparts than those of the FtsZ1 family, and these studies shown that FtsZ1 has a short N-terminal peptide similar to that of bacterial FtsZs. In comparison to FtsZ1, FtsZ2 lacks the N-terminal peptide [2,16]. Previous studies have demonstrated that FtsZ1 was probably evolved by the duplication of FtsZ2 in the evolution of green algae [17].
The maintenance and divergence of the two FtsZ families (FtsZ1 and FtsZ2) in diverse Viridiplantae suggests that they evolved to have distinct and critical functions in different plastid divisions, such as chloroplast division and amyloplast division. The functions of FtsZ families on chloroplast division have been well researched and understood [2,18]. However, the mechanism of amyloplast division has less studied and understood. For instance, it has been previously reported that the transgenic potato resulting from the transformation of the StFtsZ1 gene under the control of the GBSS promoter has increased StFtsZ1 protein levels with altered pasting properties and phosphate content in tubers, which result in less but larger starch granules [19]. Yun and Kawagoe reported that the starch granules in the endosperm of arc5 mutant rice (Oryza sativa) are smaller in size and have a significantly higher starch gelatinization peak temperature than those in the wild-type rice [20]. Rice FtsZs play important roles in starch granule synthesis [21].
Presently, an important consideration in cassava breeding is to increase yield and starch quality by focusing on the expression and regulation of key enzymes in the starch biosynthesis pathway. Amyloplast is the main sink organelle for starch grain synthesis and stores in cassava, and its proliferation directly affects the amount and accumulation of starch granules [22]. The morphology, size, and number of amyloplasts can be altered by regulating plastid division elements, which probably change the distribution, dispersion, and arrangement of starch granules, thus affecting starch quantity and quality. Most studies on FtsZs have focused on the regulation of chloroplast division [23]. FtsZs have been shown to mediate the division of the starch-storing amyloplasts in potato [19], but the mechanism is not completed understood. For example, many studies have shown that plant hormones participate in development of storage organ and improve crop yields (e.g., Cassava storage root and potato tuber); it is unclear the way in regard to the amyloplast division affected by plant hormones.
In this study, three MeFtsZs were cloned from cassava. The phylogenetic and structural analyses of the predicted MeFtsZ proteins were studied. Moreover, the subcellular fate was confirmed through MeFtsZ transient expression experiments in tobacco leaves. The expression profiles of MeFtsZs in cassava plant organs and tissues; or during storage roots development were examined using qRT-PCR. The functions of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 in plastid division were identified. The expressions of MeFtsZs were investigated in response to phytohormones. These results are the basis for further studies on MeFtsZs and their role on the division of cassava starch-storing amyloplasts.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Plant Gaterials

The SC8 cassava cultivar (Manihot esculenta Crantz no. SC8) that was obtained from the Tropical Crops Genetic Resource Institute (TCGRI, Danzhou, China) at the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS, Haikou, China) was planted in a field under natural conditions. For the differential expression analyses of the MeFtsZ genes in the cassava plant organs and tissues, the young leaves, mature leaves, stems, fibrous roots, phloems, and xylems of storage roots were collected at 90 days after planting; the male and female flowers were collected at 200 days after planting, and the fruits were collected at 225 days after planting. The differential expression analyses of the MeFtsZ genes in the storage organs during storage root development, the samples were collected at 90, 135, 180, 225, and 270 days after planting, and three biological replicates (different plants) were collected for analyses. Tissue sampling of cassava storage root was according to the method of Guerrero [24]. For phytohormone treatments, the cassava seedlings cultured in vitro for 30 days were transferred to fresh water for 14 days, then added phytohormones to fresh water with various concentrations: Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 30 mM), gibberellic acid (GA, 30 mM), abscisic acid (ABA, 30 mM), methyl jasmonate (MeJA, 50 mM), and salicylic (SA, 100 mM). The leaves, stems, and roots materials from three biological samples (different plants) were collected at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h, respectively. All materials were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80 °C.

2.2. Cloning of MeFtsZ Genes

The RNAplant Plus reagent (TianGen, Beijing, China) was used to extract the total RNA from cassava, and the RNA PCR kit (AMV) Ver.3.0 and Oligo dT-Adaptor Primer (TaKaRa, Dalian, China) were used for reverse transcription. Based on the BLAST analysis of the cassava genome database (http://www.phytozome.net/cassava), a set of gene-specific primers were designed (Table 1) to isolate the full-length complementary DNAs (cDNAs) of the MeFtsZ genes. All of the PCR products were cloned into the pMD-18 T vector (Takara, Dalian, China), and were sequenced (Shanghai Sangon Biological Engineering Technology and Services Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China).

2.3. Sequence and Structural Analysis

DNAman 6.0 software (Lynnon Biosoft, Quebec, QC, Canada) was used to analyze the MeFtsZ amino acid sequence. The exon-intron structure of each MeFtsZs was determined by comparing the sequence of MeFtsZ family genes with the genomic sequence in the cassava genome database (http://www.phytozome.net/cassava). The chromosomal distribution and orientation of cassava FtsZ genes were identified by identifying their chromosomal position that was given in the cassava genome database 6.1 version. The gene schematic structure was drawn with the Gene Structure Display Server (http://gsds.cbi.pku.edu.cn/index.php). The SignalP program (http://www.cbs. dtu.dk/services/SignalP/) was used to deduce the signal peptide sequence of the MeFtsZs, and their subcellular localizations were analyzed using the TargetP 1.1 program (http://www.cbs. dtu.dk/services/TargetP/). The FtsZ plastid division protein (gene accession: KGY36214; PDB: 4m8i.1) from Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A was regarded as a template for the sequence analysis of MeFtsZs using the Swiss-Model server (http://swissmodel.expasy.org). The conserved regions were analyzed by Pymol software (Delino Scientific, San Carlos, CA, USA). The evolutionary relationship of MeFtsZs was analyzed using the neighbor-joining method of the MEGA5 program according to the deduced amino acids with 1000 bootstrap replicates. The evolutionary distances were determined using the Poisson correction method. For the phylogenetic analysis sequence of the FtsZ family from other plants were used.

2.4. Construction of GFP-Fusion Proteins and Subcellular Localization Analysis

The open reading frames of MeFtsZ1, MeFtsZ2-1, and MeFtsZ2-2, excluding the stop codon, were amplified with added KpnI and BamHI (for MeFtsZ1) or SalI and BamHI (for MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2) restriction sites. The resulting fragments were fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) behind the Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter in the modified plant expression vector pG1300 (eGFP:pCAMBIA1300), yielding MeFtsZ1-GFP, MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP. The resulting plasmids were used for transformation of Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 strain by freeze-thaw method. The Agrobacterium cells harboring different constructs were grown overnight in YEP medium with appropriate antibiotic selection at 28 °C, collected by centrifugation (10,000× g), and resuspended to an OD 600 (optical density at 600 nm) of 1.0 in infiltration medium at room temperature for 3 h before injection into the leaves of three-week-old tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) plants. After three days transfection, the infiltrated parts of tobacco leaves were cut and detected the fluorescent signals from GFP using a Olympus FluoView™ FV1000 confocal microscope.

2.5. Plant Transformation and Identification

The wild-type Arabidopsis Columbia (Col-0) ecotype was used for transformation. Seeds were surface-sterilized and sown on 1/2 MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium, and grown under 16 h/8 h at 22 °C. MeFtsZ2-1-GFP, MeFtsZ2-2-GFP and pG1300 were employed for Agrobacterium-mediated Arabidopsis transformation by the floral dip method [25]. Transgenic plants were selected with 25 mg/L hygromycin. Seeds were bleach-sterilized, stratified for 3 days in 4 °C, and grown in the light for 10–15 days on plates, then transferred to soil, and grown at 20 °C, 70% humidity, and with 8 h/16 h photoperiod at 110 μmol m2 s−1. To identify T-DNA (Transfer DNA) insertion lines by PCR method. T4 progenies were used to identify the characteristics of plastids. For transmission electron microscopy, leaf samples from wild-type Arabidopsis, and the transgenic plants that transformed with MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP vector were collected and prepared for resin semi-thin sections. Sections were viewed in a HT-7700 transmission electron microscope (Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan) at 60 kV. For confocal microscopy, images of chlorophyll autofluorescence and GFP in transgenic plants were acquired using a FV3000 confocal microscope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) and the chloroplast number was manually counted for each cell.

2.6. Real-Time RT-PCR Analysis

The relative mRNA expressions of MeFtsZs were analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) using the qRT-PCR primers shown in Table 1. The qRT-PCR primers for each MeFtsZ gene were designed for the region of low sequence similarity to the other genes to ensure their specificity. The reactions were performed in a 384-well plate in a volume of 10 μL containing 4 μL of template cDNA, 0.4 μL of H2O, 5 μL of 2× SYBR® Premix Ex Taq II (Tli RNaseH Plus), 0.4 μL of forward and reverse primers (10 μM) and 0.2 of μL ROX Reference Dye (50×) (SYBR green reagents were supplied by Takara, Dalian, China). The PCR thermocycler program was as follows: 1 min at 95 °C for one cycle, 45 cycles of 5 s at 95 °C, and 30 s at 60 °C, and melting curve analysis at 95 °C for 15 s, 60 °C for 15 s, and 95 °C for 15 s. Cassava tubulin gene (Phytozome name: 4.1_007598m.g) mRNA was amplified as an internal control to calculate the relative expression using the 2−ΔΔCt method. Three technical replicates were analyzed for each biological sample.

3. Results

3.1. Identification and Characterization of the MeFtsZ Genes

To identify the FtsZ genes from cassava, the FtsZ protein sequences from A. thaliana and Ricinus communis were used as queries in a BLAST to search MeFtsZ genes in the publicly available cassava sequences (http://www.phytozome.net/cassava). Three deduced FtsZ family genes, named MeFtsZ1, MeFtsZ2-1, and MeFtsZ2-2, were found in the cassava genome. Full-length cDNAs of the three MeFtsZ genes were cloned using gene-specific primers by RT-PCR. The cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences of the MeFtsZs were deposited in GenBank under the following accession numbers: MeFtsZ1 (JN936179), MeFtsZ2-1 (JN936180), and MeFtsZ2-2 (JQ343216). The open reading frame (ORF) lengths of the three genes of MeFtsZ1, MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 are 1248, 1458 and 1455 base pair (bp), respectively; and their amino acid (aa) sequences range from 415 to 485 aa (Table 2). Alignment analysis of the amino acids shows that the MeFtsZs share 73.61% amino acid identity among the three deduced proteins. MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 are found to be highly homologous, sharing 87.84% amino acid identity; while, they have only 46% similar amino acid identity to MeFtsZ1. All of the three MeFtsZs contain two conserved sequence domains (FTSZ-1: VIGVGGGGSNAVNRM (PROSITE: PS01134) and FTSZ-2: FATAGMGGTGS/TGAAPV/IV/IA (PROSITE: PS01135)). These motifs have been reported to be conserved in the FtsZ genes of green plants (Figure 1). Analysis with the Signal P 4.1 Server indicated that MeFtsZ1 contains a putative signal peptide at the N-terminal amino acids 1 to 58; and, the subcellular localization predicted by the TargetP 1.1 program showed that MeFtsZ1 localizes at chloroplasts. Whereas, MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 do not contain putative signal peptide, but contain the N-terminal extensions, which correspond with chloroplast-targeting (Figure 1).

3.2. Analysis of the Gene Structure and Chromosomal Distribution of the MeFtsZs

The gene structures of the MeFtsZ genes were determined by aligning the cDNA sequences with the genomic sequence from the cassava genome database (http://www.phytozome. net/cassava). The MeFtsZ isoforms were found to have two types of exon-intron structures as follows: MeFtsZ1 has six exons and five introns, while MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 have seven exons and six introns. The first exon in all of the MeFtsZs contains the FTSZ-1, and the FTSZ-2 motifs that locate in different exons (Figure 2). The length of the exons among the MeFtsZs was different where the first exon in MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 was comparatively longer than the others (Figure 2). The three MeFtsZ genes were mapped and were found to be distributed in three chromosomes of the cassava genome, in which the MeFtsZ1 has the same orientation, and locates at chromosome 3; MeFtsZ2-1 has opposite orientation, and locates at chromosome 9; and, MeFtsZ2-2 has same orientation, and locates at chromosome 8 (Figure 3).

3.3. Phylogenetic Analysis of the MeFtsZ Proteins

The phylogenetic relationship of the MeFtsZs was compared with the FtsZs from the other plants based on the amino acid sequences, using the MEGA5 program. The plant FtsZ sequences were clearly separated into two distinct families (FtsZ1 and FtsZ2) (Figure 4). The MeFtsZs were shown to have a close relationship with the FtsZs from Ricinus communis. MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 are classified into the FtsZ2 family and have a close relationship with RcFtsZ2 from R. communis, sharing 80–82% identity. MeFtsZ1 is classified into the FtsZ1 family, and has a higher homology with RcFtsZ1 from R. communis, sharing 85.64% amino acid identity (Figure 4).

3.4. Structure Prediction and Homology Modeling of the MeFtsZ Proteins

To obtain a reasonable theoretical structure of the MeFtsZs, protein homology modeling was performed using a known three-dimensional (3D) structure at 1.43 Å of the FtsZ protein from Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A (PDB: 4m8i.1) as a template through the Swiss model server and QMEAN server. The total QMEAN scores (estimated model reliability between 0 and 1) of the predicted 3D models for MeFtsZ1 to 3 were 0.750 (Z-score: −0.27), 0.735 (Z-score: −0.45), and 0.721 (Z-score: −0.60), respectively, which indicated that the three models were reliable. The overall predicted structures showed that MeFtsZ1, MeFtsZ2-1, and MeFtsZ2-2 have similar substrates (Figure 5). The N-terminals and the C-terminal ends of MeFtsZs were found to have a GTPase domain and a αβ-domain, respectively. The α-helix structure connected the N-terminal GTPase domain with the C-terminal αβ-domain in the MeFtsZs. The structures of the FTSZ-1 and FTSZ-2 motifs were closely integrated with the guanosine triphosphate (GTP) molecule, which may allow the MeFtsZ proteins to have GTPase activity.

3.5. Subcellular Localization of MeFtsZs

To study the subcellular localization of MeFtsZs, the coding sequences of the MeFtsZ genes were, respectively, fused in-frame with the coding sequence of GFP, and then were placed downstream of a cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter to be transiently expressed in tobacco leaf epidermal cells. After transfection for three days, the GFP fluorescent could be observed in all chloroplasts of the MeFtsZ-GFP transiently expressed tobacco leaves to form a ring in the chloroplasts (Figure 6). Thus, it is suggested that MeFtsZ1, MeFtsZ2-1, and MeFtsZ2-2 function in the plastids of plants. GFP fluorescent of the MeFtsZ1-GFP was not merged with chlorophyll auto fluorescence, while GFP fluorescent of the MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP were merged with chlorophyll auto fluorescence to form yellow fluorescence. These differences may indicate that MeFtsZ1 is located in the outside part of the chloroplast, whereas MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 are located within the chloroplast stroma.

3.6. The Differential Expression Analyses of MeFtsZs in Cassava Organs and Tissues

To determine the expression patterns of the MeFtsZ genes in cassava organs and tissues, total RNA was extracted separately from young and mature leaves, stems, fibrous roots, storage root phloems and xylems, male and female flowers, fruits of cassava plants, the mRNAs were isolated, and the cDNAs were synthesized from these organs and tissues for quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The results showed that the MeFtsZ genes were expressed in all of the tested tissues. All of the three MeFtsZs had the highest expression levels in young leaves. In mature leaves, MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 reduced their expressions, but MeFtsZ1 still maintained a high expression level (Figure 7A). In the other organs or tissues, the expression levels of MeFtsZs were comparably higher in fibrous roots, male and female flowers; and, the lowest expressions were in storage roots (Figure 7A). The expression of MeFtsZ2-1 was comparably higher than MeFtsZ2-2 and MeFtsZ1 in all of the organs or tissues, except leaves. The expression of MeFtsZ1 was higher than MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 in leaves, and the expression of MeFtsZ1 was comparatively lower than MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 in all of the non-photosynthetic tissues (Figure 7A).

3.7. The Differential Expression Analyses of MeFtsZs in Cassava Storage Root Developmental Stages

To explore the expression of the MeFtsZ genes during cassava storage root development, the expressions of the MeFtsZ genes were examined by qRT-PCR in the storage root xylems (the location of amyloplast development) of the cassava at 90, 135, 180, 225 and 270 days after planting. The cassava plant initially develops storage roots at 90 days, expands storage roots with starch accumulation at 135 and 180 days, storage root maturity at 225–270 days after planting. All of the three genes had lower expression levels at the storage root initial stage (90 days), and higher expression level at expanding stage (135 and 180 days) and mature stage (225 and 270 days) (Figure 7B). Among the three genes, the expression levels of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 were comparatively higher than that of MeFtsZ1 at all stages (Figure 7B).

3.8. The Differential Expression Analyses of MeFtsZ Genes under Phytohormone Treatments

Phytohormones are involved in the development process of cassava storage roots. In order to investigate the MeFtsZs whether to be regulated by phytohormones during cassava storage root development, several phytohormones were used to treat the cassava seedlings; and the expression levels of MeFtsZ genes in leaves, stems, and roots were detected. The results showed that all of the MeFtsZ genes were responsive to MeJA, GA, SA, ABA, and IAA with variety induced expressing patterns among genes and organs (Figure 8). Under MeJA (50 μM) treatment, MeFtsZ1 mRNA level was peaked at 12 h in leaves or 24 h in stems; and, peaked at 6 h in roots. The mRNA level of MeFtsZ2-1was highly up regulated at later times from 12 h to 24 h, and reached a peak at 24 h in leaves and stems; while, the mRNA levels of MeFtsZ2-2 had lesser increase than MeFtsZ2-1. Both of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 were up regulated 3 h in roots. Under GA (30 μM) treatment, MeFtsZ genes were down regulated at the initial treatment times (except MeFtsZ1 was lightly increased in stems), and up regulated at the later treatment times, peaked at 24 h or 18 h (MeFtsZ2-1 in stems) in the aerial organs of leaves and stems. All MeFtsZs were quickly up regulated at 1 h in roots. Under SA (100 μM), MeFtsZ1 was up regulated from the initial 1 h, and peaked at 24 h in leaves and stems; while, it was highly up regulated at 1 h or 18 h in roots. MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 were down regulated at the initial treatment times and up regulated at the later times, peaked at 24 h treatment in leaves; all MeFtsZs were up regulated and reached a peak at 24 h in stems and were up regulated and reached a peak at 6 h or 12 h in roots. Under ABA (30 μM) treatment, MeFtsZ genes were up regulated and reached a peak at 24 h in leaves and stems. MeFtsZ1 was up regulated a peak at 12 h in roots; while, MeFtsZ2-1 was up regulated from 1 h to 12 h, then down regulated from 18 h to 24 h; and MeFtsZ2-2 were down regulated at the initial 1 h, and then up regulated. Under IAA (30 μM) treatment, all MeFtsZs were up regulated, and reached a peak at 12 h, or 18 h, or 24 h, respectively, in leaves and stems. MeFtsZ1 was quickly increased and reached a peak at 1 h in roots; MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 were down regulated at 3 h, then increased their expressions, and reached a peak at 24 h in leaves and stems; and, they were slightly increased during all of the treated time points in the roots.

3.9. Expression of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 in A. thaliana to Identify Their Regulation in Plastid Division

In order to explore the function of MeFtsZs in plastid division; two MeFtsZ genes of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 that have higher expression during storage root development were fused with GFP to transform into the wild-type A. thaliana Col-0. The results showed that the phenotype of the transgenic Arabidopsis had no obvious changes to the wild type Arabidopsis after plant growing in soil for five weeks (Figure 9A); however, the chloroplasts in leaves of the transgenic Arabidopsis showed abnormally shape and with large volume under transmission electron micrographs (Figure 9B). The number of chloroplasts in the leaf mesophyll cells of the transgenic Arabidopsis was significantly decreased in comparison to the wild type Arabidopsis, which was decreased 71.17% and 93.69% in the transgenic lines of MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-1-GFP than in the wild-type Arabidopsis, respectively (Figure 10).
In order to determine whether the MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 proteins are targeted to the chloroplasts and interfere their division in the transgenic Arabidopsis. The GFP fluorescence (green color) and chlorophyll auto fluorescence (red color) in leaf mesophyll cells of the transgenic Arabidopsis of MeFtsZ2-1-GFP, MeFtsZ2-2-GFP, and pG1300 (empty vector) were observed under a laser confocal scanning microscope. The results showed that MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 were distributed in the chloroplasts of the transgenic Arabidopsis, which was showing abnormal morphologies of the dot or filament manners; and an increased size of the chloroplasts was also observed (Figure 11). However, the transgenic Arabidopsis with pG1300 vector had normal chloroplast morphology. These results have demonstrated that MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 are involved in plant plastid division.

4. Discussion

Three full-length cDNAs of MeFtsZs from cassava were cloned in this study. Alignment analysis of the three MeFtsZ sequences showed that the two conserved domains (FTSZ-1 and FTSZ-2) reported in the FtsZ genes were found in all three of the MeFtsZs [27]. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 are highly homologous to each other, sharing 87.84% amino acid identity, and with similar genomic structures of seven exons and six introns. However, MeFtsZ1 is lower percentage of sequence similarity to MeFtsZ2-1, MeFtsZ2-2, and with six exons and five introns (Figure 2). The different exon-intron structures have been reported in AtFtsZs from Arabidopsis [15]. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the MeFtsZ proteins from cassava were grouped to two clades (FtsZ1 and FtsZ2), in which MeFtsZ1 with a prepeptide was classified into FtsZ1 clade; and, MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 without a prepeptide were classified into FtsZ2 clade (Figure 3). These results are consistent with the findings in other plants [17,28]. In plants, FtsZs can be divided into two families according to the presence of the plastid guide peptide, FtsZ1 is located in the plastid inner membrane with the presence of a prepeptide, and the FtsZ2 is located in the plastid outer membrane, with the absence of a prepeptide [6]. The localization of FtsZ is closely connected to their function. MeFtsZ1, MeFtsZ2-1, and MeFtsZ2-2 could form a ring in tobacco chloroplasts (Figure 6) suggests that MeFtsZs could be assembled into the “Z ring” and function in the plastid division in cassava plants.
The 3D images of the hypothetical structures of MeFtsZs indicate that all of the three MeFtsZ proteins have an N-terminal GTPase domain and a C-terminal αβ-domain, which are connected by a central α-helix. Furthermore, the two conserved domains, FTSZ-1 and FTSZ-2, are found to be similar among all the three MeFtsZ proteins. The structures of the conserved domains are found to be closely integrated with GTP (Figure 5). The hypothetical structures of MeFtsZs are consistent with the findings of the previous studies [29]. Many studies have shown that the bacterial FtsZs undergo in vitro GTP-dependent assembly into homopolymers. The reaction between the FtsZ subunits forms the GTPase active site, and the polymerization of subunits stimulates GTP hydrolysis. This cycle pattern sustains Z-ring constriction and remodeling [2,30,31]. Similarly, plant FtsZs are capable of GTP-dependent homopolymerization and assembly-stimulated GTPase activity, in vitro [27,32,33,34]. Because, the structures of the cassava MeFtsZs are similar to those in other species, it indicates that they can be assembled into the “Z ring” in the cleavage site of plastid and generate contractile force by the GTPase activity for cassava plastid division.
In Arabidopsis, both deletion and overexpression of AtFtsZ1 or AtFtsZ2 cause dose-dependent defects in chloroplast division, and these changes result in a reduction in chloroplast number and an increase in chloroplast size [6,35]. It has been suggested that the expression levels of AtFtsZ1 or AtFtsZ2 may be critical for their functions in vivo. Thus, the tissue-specific expression patterns of the MeFtsZ genes may provide a basis for understanding their functions during cassava plant development. The expression analysis by qRT-PCR showed that the MeFtsZ genes were expressed in all of the tested nine organs or tissues (young and mature leaves, stems, fibrous roots, storage root phloems, storage root xylems, male flower, female flowers, and fruits). The MeFtsZs were highly expressed in leaves, especially in younger leaves. Subsequent analysis found that the reduced expression levels of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 were found in the mature leaves (Figure 7A). Thus, the MeFtsZ genes were highly active in the organs that are rich in chloroplasts, and where chloroplasts more actively divide. In non-photosynthetic tissues, the expression patterns of MeFtsZ genes were similar: highest expression of MeFtsZ2-1, moderate expression of MeFtsZ2-2, and lowest expression of MeFtsZ1 were detected in these tested non-photosynthetic tissues. These data indicated that the three MeFtsZ proteins are more active in cassava leaves for chloroplast division than in non-photosynthetic tissues for plastid division. Amyloplasts originally developed from one type of plastid, and their divisions cause the accumulation of starch in non-photosynthetic organelles in the sink organs. During the process of storage root development and starch accumulation in cassava, the expression levels of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 were higher than that of MeFtsZ1, in which MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 were comparatively more active at the 135 days after planting when cassava storage roots were in the expanding stage where amyloplasts actively divided and accumulated more starch. These data suggested that more MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 might be beneficial for amyloplast division during storage root development in cassava.
In order to identify the function of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 in plastid division, these two genes were transformed into A. thaliana. The results showed that the transgenic plants contained abnormally shape, fewer number, and larger volume chloroplasts (Figure 10 and Figure 11). It has been found that maintaining the balance of plastid division-related gene expression is beneficial to the normal division of plastids [15,19,36]. MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 are distributed in the chloroplasts in a dot or a filament manner in order to interfere with the normal chloroplast division in transgenic Arabidopsis (Figure 11). Our results demonstrate that MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 are involved in the plastid division of plants. However, the mechanisms of MeFtsZ genes regulate the divisions of chloroplasts and amyloplasts in the source organs (leaves) and sink organ (storage roots) need further study.
Chromoplasts are plastids that produce and store pigments, such as carotenoid. Raise the content of carotenoid in cassava storage roots will improve nutritional and health benefits of cassava. Analyzed chromoplasts from 23 landraces that have different carotenoid content showed that chromoplast number and size would affect the amount of carotenoids in cassava storage roots [37,38]. Study the expression of MeFtsZ genes in different carotenoid content of cassava storage roots may help us to further understand the relationship between chromoplast division and MeFtsZ genes.
Phytohormones play the essential roles in cassava storage root initiation and development [39]. The contents of IAA and GA were increased at expanding stage, and then slightly reduced at mature stage in the cassava storage roots, while the content of ABA was gradually increased during the cassava storage root development. Thus, it was clear that IAA, GA, and ABA were involved in the phase transition and development of cassava storage roots [40]. Further, it was found that GA could enhance the mRNA levels of the invertase and sucrose synthase in plants [41]. ABA signaling transduction could regulate the expression of the starch branching enzyme (SBE) gene in cassava storage roots [42]. The addition, of SA and MeJA to culture medium could result in raising the number and weight per shingle plant potato micro tuber [43]. In this study, the expressions of MeFtsZ genes were regulated by IAA, GA, ABA, SA, and MeJA; whereas, the expression models of the MeFtsZ genes in response to hormone treatment in cassava seedling roots were different. MeFtsZs were up regulated and reached a peak after 12 h hormone treatment in aerial organs; MeFtsZ1 was quickly increased and reached a peak before 6 h in roots. These results indicated that phytohormones were involved in regulating the expressions of MeFtsZ genes in aerial organs and storage roots of cassava.

5. Conclusions

In conclusion, three MeFtsZ cDNAs from cassava were isolated and characterized in this study. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 are clustered into the FtsZ2 clade and that MeFtsZ1 is clustered into the FtsZ1 clade. All the three of the MeFtsZs could locate in chloroplasts and form a ring in chloroplastids. All of the MeFtsZ genes had higher expression levels in photosynthetic tissues, especially in younger leaves, and lower expression levels in the non-photosynthetic tissues. During cassava storage root development, the expressions of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 were comparatively higher than MeFtsZ1. The transformed Arabidopsis of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2 contained abnormally shape, fewer number, and larger volume chloroplasts. The higher MeFtsZ2 (2-1, 2-2) gene expressions might be beneficial for cassava storage root development, during which the phytohormones could play a role through regulating the expressions of MeFtsZ genes.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31160061, 31671767, 31600196, 31601359, 31371706), the Natural Science Foundation of Hainan (No. SQ2015ZRJJ0195); the earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System (CARS-11-HNGJC), Yang Elite Scientist Sponsorship Program of CAST; Young Talent Cultivation Project of China Association for Science and Technology.

Author Contributions

Meng-Ting Geng, Yi Min and Yuan Yao were responsible for all aspects of the research, including experimental design, data acquisition and analysis, andmanuscript preparation. Xia Chen, Jie Fan, Shuai Yuan, Lei Wang, Chong Sun, Fan Zhang, Lu Shang and Yun-Lin Wang worked on the preparation of the studied materials and gene cloning. Rui-Mei Li, Shao-Ping Fu, Rui-Jun Duan and Jiao Liu worked on primer design, technical and informatics’ analyses of these genes. Xin-Wen Hu and Jian-Chun Guo were responsibility for the programs and all experiments, critically revised the manuscript and provided the final approval of the article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Keeling, P.J. The endosymbiotic origin, diversification and fate of plastids. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 2010, 365, 729–748. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  2. Terbush, A.D.; Yoshida, Y.; Osteryoung, K.W. Ftsz in chloroplast division: Structure, function and evolution. Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 2013, 25, 461–470. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  3. Bahaji, A.; Li, J.; Sánchezlópez, Á.M.; Barojafernández, E.; Muñoz, F.J.; Ovecka, M.; Almagro, G.; Montero, M.; Ezquer, I.; Etxeberria, E. Starch biosynthesis, its regulation and biotechnological approaches to improve crop yields. Biotechnol. Adv. 2014, 32, 87–106. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  4. Kuroiwa, H.; Mori, T.; Takahara, M.; Miyagishima, S.Y.; Kuroiwa, T. Chloroplast division machinery as revealed by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Planta 2002, 215, 185–190. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  5. Mori, T.; Kuroiwa, H.; Takahara, M.; Miyagishima, S.Y.; Kuroiwa, T. Visualization of an FtsZ ring in chloroplasts of Lilium longiflorum leaves. Plant Cell Physiol. 2001, 42, 555–559. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Osteryoung, K.W.; Stokes, K.D.; Rutherford, S.M.; Percival, A.L.; Lee, W.Y. Chloroplast division in higher plants requires members of two functionally divergent gene families with homology to bacterial FtsZ. Plant Cell 1998, 10, 1991–2004. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  7. Osteryoung, K.W.; Vierling, E. Conserved cell and organelle division. Nature 1995, 376, 473–474. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  8. Glynn, J.M.; Froehlich, J.E.; Osteryoung, K.W. Arabidopsis ARC6 coordinates the division machineries of the inner and outer chloroplast membranes through interaction with PDV2 in the intermembrane space. Plant Cell 2008, 20, 2460–2470. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  9. Vitha, S.; Froehlich, J.E.; Koksharova, O.; Pyke, K.A.; Van, E.H.; Osteryoung, K.W. Arc6 is a j-domain plastid division protein and an evolutionary descendant of the cyanobacterial cell division protein Ftn2. Plant Cell 2003, 15, 1918–1933. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  10. Gao, H.; Kadirjankalbach, D.; Froehlich, J.E.; Osteryoung, K.W. ARC5, a cytosolic dynamin-like protein from plants, is part of the chloroplast division machinery. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2003, 100, 4328–4333. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  11. Miyagishima, S.Y.; Froehlich, J.E.; Osteryoung, K.W. PDV1 and PDV2 mediate recruitment of the dynamin-related protein ARC5 to the plastid division site. Plant Cell 2006, 18, 2517–2530. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  12. Osteryoung, K.W.; Nunnari, J. The division of endosymbiotic organelles. Science 2003, 302, 1698–1704. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  13. Mcandrew, R.S.; Froehlich, J.E.; Vitha, S.; Stokes, K.D.; Osteryoung, K.W. Colocalization of plastid division proteins in the chloroplast stromal compartment establishes a new functional relationship between FtsZ1 and FtsZ2 in higher plants. Plant Physiol. 2001, 127, 1656–1666. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  14. Miyagishima, S.Y.; Nakanishi, H.; Kabeya, Y. Structure, regulation, and evolution of the plastid division machinery. Int. Rev. Cell Mol. Biol. 2011, 291, 115–153. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  15. Schmitz, A.J.; Glynn, J.M.; Olson, B.J.; Stokes, K.D.; Osteryoung, K.W. Arabidopsis FtsZ2-1 and FtsZ2-2 are functionally redundant, but ftsz-based plastid division is not essential for chloroplast partitioning or plant growth and development. Mol. Plant 2009, 2, 1211–1222. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  16. Osteryoung, K.W.; Mcandrew, R.S. The plastid division machine. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 2001, 52, 315–333. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  17. Stokes, K.D.; Osteryoung, K.W. Early divergence of the FtsZ1 and FtsZ2 plastid division gene families in photosynthetic eukaryotes. Gene 2003, 320, 97–108. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Chikkala, V.R.N.; Nugent, G.D.; Stalker, D.M.; Mouradov, A.; Stevenson, T.W. Expression of brassica oleracea FtsZ1-1 and mind alters chloroplast division in nicotiana tabacum generating macro- and mini-chloroplasts. Plant Cell Rep. 2012, 31, 917–928. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  19. Pater, S.; Caspers, M.; Kottenhagen, M.; Meima, H.; Ter Stege, R.; Vetten, N. Manipulation of starch granule size distribution in potato tubers by modulation of plastid division. Plant Biotechnol. J. 2006, 4, 123–134. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  20. Yun, M.S.; Kawagoe, Y. Amyloplast division progresses simultaneously at multiple sites in the endosperm of rice. Plant Cell Physiol. 2009, 50, 1617–1626. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  21. Yun, M.S.; Kawagoe, Y. Septum formation in amyloplasts produces compound granules in the rice endosperm and is regulated by plastid division proteins. Plant Cell Physiol. 2010, 51, 1469–1479. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  22. Baguma, Y. Regulation of Starch Synthesis in Cassava. Ph.D. Thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, 2004. [Google Scholar]
  23. Osteryoung, K.W.; Pyke, K.A. Division and dynamic morphology of plastids. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2014, 65, 443–472. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  24. Leyvaguerrero, E. Enhancement of the Free Amino Acid and Protein Content of Cassava Storage Roots and Evaluation of Root-Specific Promoters in Cassava. Ph.D. Thesis, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA, 2011. [Google Scholar]
  25. Clough, S.J.; Bent, A.F. Floral dip: A simplified method for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant J. Cell Mol. Biol. 1998, 16, 735–743. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Fujiwara, M.; Yoshida, S. Chloroplast targeting of chloroplast division ftsZ2 proteins in Arabidopsis. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2001, 287, 462–467. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  27. Lutkenhausand, J.; Addinall, S.G. Bacterial cell division and the Z ring. Annu. Rev. Biochem. 1997, 66, 93–116. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  28. Terbush, A.D.; Osteryoung, K.W. Distinct functions of chloroplast FtsZ1 and FtsZ2 in Z-ring structure and remodeling. J. Cell Biol. 2012, 199, 623–637. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  29. Olson, B.J.S.C.; Wang, Q.; Osteryoung, K.W. GTP-dependent heteropolymer formation and bundling of chloroplast FtsZ1 and FtsZ2. J. Biol. Chem. 2010, 285, 20634–20643. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  30. Erickson, H.P.; Anderson, D.E.; Osawa, M. Ftsz in bacterial cytokinesis: Cytoskeleton and force generator all in one. Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 2010, 74, 504–528. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  31. Osawa, M.; Erickson, H.P. Inside-out Z rings—Constriction with and without GTP hydrolysis. Mol. Microbiol. 2011, 81, 571–579. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  32. El-Kafafi, E.-S.; Mukherjee, S.; El-Shami, M.; Putaux, J.-L.; Block, M.A.; Pignot-Paintrand, I.; Lerbs-Mache, S.; Falconet, D. The plastid division proteins, FtsZ1 and FtsZ2, differ in their biochemical properties and sub-plastidial localization. Biochem. J. 2005, 387, 669–676. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  33. Lohse, S.; Hause, B.; Hause, G.; Fester, T. FtsZ characterization and immunolocalization in the two phases of plastid reorganization in arbuscular mycorrhizal roots of Medicago truncatula. Plant Cell Physiol. 2006, 47, 1124–1134. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  34. Smith, A.G.; Johnson, C.B.; Vitha, S.; Holzenburg, A. Plant FtsZ1 and FtsZ2 expressed in a eukaryotic host: GTPase activity and self-assembly. FEBS Lett. 2010, 584, 166–172. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  35. Stokes, K.D.; Mcandrew, R.S.; Figueroa, R.; Vitha, S.; Osteryoung, K.W. Chloroplast division and morphology are differentially affected by overexpression of FtsZ1 and FtsZ2 genes in arabidopsis. Plant Physiol. 2000, 124, 1668–1677. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  36. Colletti, K.S.; Tattersall, E.A.; Pyke, K.A.; Froelich, J.E.; Stokes, K.D.; Osteryoung, K.W. A homologue of the bacterial cell division site-determining factor mind mediates placement of the chloroplast division apparatus. Curr. Biol. 2000, 10, 507–516. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Branco, C.L.J.C.; John, L.; Chen, S.; Regina, B.D.S.C.; Vieira, E.A.; Anderson, J.V. Characterization of carotenoid-protein complexes and gene expression analysis associated with carotenoid sequestration in pigmented cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) storage root. Open Biochem. J. 2012, 6, 116–130. [Google Scholar]
  38. Jcb, C.L.; Agustini Marco, A.V.; Anderson, J.V.; Vieira, E.A.; Rb, D.S.C.; Chen, S.; Schaal, B.A.; Silva, J.P. Natural variation in expression of genes associated with carotenoid biosynthesis and accumulation in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) storage root. BMC Plant Biol. 2016, 16, 133. [Google Scholar]
  39. Sojikul, P.; Saithong, T.; Kalapanulak, S.; Pisuttinusart, N.; Limsirichaikul, S.; Tanaka, M.; Utsumi, Y.; Sakurai, T.; Seki, M.; Narangajavana, J. Genome-wide analysis reveals phytohormone action during cassava storage root initiation. Plant Mol. Biol. 2015, 88, 531–543. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  40. Luo, X.; Fan, W.; Wang, J. Studies on the changes of endogenous hormones in cassava during growing development. Chin. Agric. Sci. Bull. 2011, 27, 82–86. [Google Scholar]
  41. Wang, X.Q.; Li, L.M.; Yang, P.P.; Gong, C.L. The role of hexokinases from grape berries (Vitis vinifera L.) in regulating the expression of cell wall invertase and sucrose synthase genes. Plant Cell Rep. 2014, 33, 337–347. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  42. Baguma, Y.; Sun, C.; Borén, M.; Olsson, H.; Rosenqvist, S.; Mutisya, J.; Rubaihayo, P.R.; Jansson, C. Sugar-mediated semidian oscillation of gene expression in the cassava storage root regulates starch synthesis. Plant Signal. Behav. 2008, 3, 439–445. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  43. Chen, D. Effects of salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate on the formation of potato microtuber. J. Huazhong Agric. 2005, 24, 74–78. [Google Scholar]
Genes 08 00391 g001 550
Figure 1. Protein sequence and domain structure of the MeFtsZs. The two conserved sequence domains (FTSZ-1: VIGVGGGGSNAVNRM (PROSITE: PS01134) and FTSZ-2: FATAGMGGT GS/TGAAPV/IV/IA (PROSITE: PS01135) are shown within red lines. The yellow line indicates the putative signal peptide. The pink lines indicate the N-terminal extensions of MeFtsZ2-1 (87 aa) and MeFtsZ2-2 (86 aa), which correspond with chloroplast-targeting proposed by Fujiwara et al. [26]. The N-terminal domain sequence is shown in the blue box, and the C-terminal domain sequence is shown in the black box.
Figure 1. Protein sequence and domain structure of the MeFtsZs. The two conserved sequence domains (FTSZ-1: VIGVGGGGSNAVNRM (PROSITE: PS01134) and FTSZ-2: FATAGMGGT GS/TGAAPV/IV/IA (PROSITE: PS01135) are shown within red lines. The yellow line indicates the putative signal peptide. The pink lines indicate the N-terminal extensions of MeFtsZ2-1 (87 aa) and MeFtsZ2-2 (86 aa), which correspond with chloroplast-targeting proposed by Fujiwara et al. [26]. The N-terminal domain sequence is shown in the blue box, and the C-terminal domain sequence is shown in the black box.
Genes 08 00391 g001
Genes 08 00391 g002 550
Figure 2. Exon-intron structures of the MeFtsZ genes. Introns are shown as black lines, and exons are shown as yellow boxes. FTSZ-1 motif is shown as red boxes, and FTSZ-2 motif is shown as green boxes.
Figure 2. Exon-intron structures of the MeFtsZ genes. Introns are shown as black lines, and exons are shown as yellow boxes. FTSZ-1 motif is shown as red boxes, and FTSZ-2 motif is shown as green boxes.
Genes 08 00391 g002
Genes 08 00391 g003 550
Figure 3. Genome-wide distribution and orientation of MeFtsZ genes on cassava chromosomes. Chromosome numbers are shown at the top of each bar. The red lines on the cassava chromosomes indicate the positions of the MeFtsZ genes. The blue arrows indicate the gene orientation.
Figure 3. Genome-wide distribution and orientation of MeFtsZ genes on cassava chromosomes. Chromosome numbers are shown at the top of each bar. The red lines on the cassava chromosomes indicate the positions of the MeFtsZ genes. The blue arrows indicate the gene orientation.
Genes 08 00391 g003
Genes 08 00391 g004 550
Figure 4. Phylogenetic relationships of the MeFtsZ proteins. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using neighbor-joining algorithm.
Figure 4. Phylogenetic relationships of the MeFtsZ proteins. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using neighbor-joining algorithm.
Genes 08 00391 g004
Genes 08 00391 g005 550
Figure 5. The predicted three-dimensional (3D) structure model of MeFtsZs. (A) MeFtsZ1; (B) MeFtsZ2-1; (C) MeFtsZ2-2; (D) comparison of 3D structures from MeFtsZs. A-1, B-1 and C-1 are the predicted 3D structure models of MeFtsZ1, MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2, respectively. D-1 is the merged 3D structure model of MeFtsZs. Black arrow shows the central α-helix which connects the N-terminal GTPase domain and the C-terminal αβ-domain in the MeFtsZs. The conserved sequence domains (FTSZ-1 motif and FTSZ-2 motif) are shown as sticks in A-2, B-2, C-2 and D-2. The GTP molecule is depicted by colored balls.
Figure 5. The predicted three-dimensional (3D) structure model of MeFtsZs. (A) MeFtsZ1; (B) MeFtsZ2-1; (C) MeFtsZ2-2; (D) comparison of 3D structures from MeFtsZs. A-1, B-1 and C-1 are the predicted 3D structure models of MeFtsZ1, MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-2, respectively. D-1 is the merged 3D structure model of MeFtsZs. Black arrow shows the central α-helix which connects the N-terminal GTPase domain and the C-terminal αβ-domain in the MeFtsZs. The conserved sequence domains (FTSZ-1 motif and FTSZ-2 motif) are shown as sticks in A-2, B-2, C-2 and D-2. The GTP molecule is depicted by colored balls.
Genes 08 00391 g005
Genes 08 00391 g006 550
Figure 6. Subcellular localization of the MeFtsZ proteins in tobacco leaf epidermal cells. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence is shown in green color, chlorophyll auto fluorescence is shown in red color as a chloroplast marker. Bar = 10 μm.
Figure 6. Subcellular localization of the MeFtsZ proteins in tobacco leaf epidermal cells. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence is shown in green color, chlorophyll auto fluorescence is shown in red color as a chloroplast marker. Bar = 10 μm.
Genes 08 00391 g006
Genes 08 00391 g007 550
Figure 7. Expression patterns of MeFtsZ genes in cassava organs and tissues (A), or in storage root xylems during storage root developmental stages (B). (A) The expression level of MeFtsZ1 in fibrous roots was used as a calibrator; (B) The expression level of MeFtsZ1 at 90 days was used as a calibrator. The amount of MeFtsZs mRNA was normalized by tubulin mRNA. Each value represents the mean ± SE of three biological replicates (different plants). The abbreviations are as follows: YL, young leaves (the first or second leaves from the top stem); ML, mature leaves (the 7th or 8th leaves from the top stem); S, stems; FR, fibrous roots; SP, storage root phloems; SX, storage root xylems; MF, male flowers; FF, female flowers; and F, fruits. Letters on the error bars indicate the significant difference from each gene by ANOVA analysis (p < 0.05).
Figure 7. Expression patterns of MeFtsZ genes in cassava organs and tissues (A), or in storage root xylems during storage root developmental stages (B). (A) The expression level of MeFtsZ1 in fibrous roots was used as a calibrator; (B) The expression level of MeFtsZ1 at 90 days was used as a calibrator. The amount of MeFtsZs mRNA was normalized by tubulin mRNA. Each value represents the mean ± SE of three biological replicates (different plants). The abbreviations are as follows: YL, young leaves (the first or second leaves from the top stem); ML, mature leaves (the 7th or 8th leaves from the top stem); S, stems; FR, fibrous roots; SP, storage root phloems; SX, storage root xylems; MF, male flowers; FF, female flowers; and F, fruits. Letters on the error bars indicate the significant difference from each gene by ANOVA analysis (p < 0.05).
Genes 08 00391 g007
Genes 08 00391 g008 550
Figure 8. Effects of the phytohormones on MeFtsZ gene expressions in leaves (A), stems (B), and roots (C) of cassava seedlings. Cassava seedlings were incubated with 30 μM GA, 30 μM IAA, 100 μM SA, 50 μM MeJA and 30 μM ABA and their leaves, stems, and roots were collected at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after treatment. Relative expression levels of the MeFtsZ genes were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR), and log2-transformed fold-change values were used for creating the heatmap. Data are means calculated from three biological replicates (different plants). The scale represents the relative signal intensity values.
Figure 8. Effects of the phytohormones on MeFtsZ gene expressions in leaves (A), stems (B), and roots (C) of cassava seedlings. Cassava seedlings were incubated with 30 μM GA, 30 μM IAA, 100 μM SA, 50 μM MeJA and 30 μM ABA and their leaves, stems, and roots were collected at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after treatment. Relative expression levels of the MeFtsZ genes were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR), and log2-transformed fold-change values were used for creating the heatmap. Data are means calculated from three biological replicates (different plants). The scale represents the relative signal intensity values.
Genes 08 00391 g008
Genes 08 00391 g009 550
Figure 9. Phenotype of the transgenic and wild type Arabidopsis and their mesophyll chloroplasts. (A) Phenotype of the wild type and transgenic Arabidopsis; (B) transmission electron micrographs of the chloroplasts from the wild type and the transgenic Arabidopsis. WT, the wild type Arabidopsis. MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP, the Arabidopsis lines were transformed with MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP vectors, respectively. Bar = 2.5 μm.
Figure 9. Phenotype of the transgenic and wild type Arabidopsis and their mesophyll chloroplasts. (A) Phenotype of the wild type and transgenic Arabidopsis; (B) transmission electron micrographs of the chloroplasts from the wild type and the transgenic Arabidopsis. WT, the wild type Arabidopsis. MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP, the Arabidopsis lines were transformed with MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP vectors, respectively. Bar = 2.5 μm.
Genes 08 00391 g009
Genes 08 00391 g010 550
Figure 10. Numbers of the mesophyll chloroplasts in per leaf cell of the transgenic and the wild type Arabidopsis. WT, the wild type Arabidopsis. MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP, the Arabidopsis lines were transformed with MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP vectors, respectively.
Figure 10. Numbers of the mesophyll chloroplasts in per leaf cell of the transgenic and the wild type Arabidopsis. WT, the wild type Arabidopsis. MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP, the Arabidopsis lines were transformed with MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP vectors, respectively.
Genes 08 00391 g010
Genes 08 00391 g011 550
Figure 11. Distribution of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-1 in mesophyll chloroplasts of the transgenic Arabidopsis. WT, the wild type Arabidopsis. MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP, the Arabidopsis lines were transformed with MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP vectors, respectively.
Figure 11. Distribution of MeFtsZ2-1 and MeFtsZ2-1 in mesophyll chloroplasts of the transgenic Arabidopsis. WT, the wild type Arabidopsis. MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP, the Arabidopsis lines were transformed with MeFtsZ2-1-GFP and MeFtsZ2-2-GFP vectors, respectively.
Genes 08 00391 g011
Table
Table 1. Gene specific primers used in this study.
Table 1. Gene specific primers used in this study.
Primer NameSequence (5′ to 3′)Application
FtsZ1-FAATGGATCCAAACCCTAAAACCTCTGene cloning of MeFtsZ1
FtsZ1-RTGGAAGCTTAAGAAACAACCAACT
FtsZ2-1-FCGCGGATCCTACTTCAGCGACTTTATGene cloning of MeFtsZ2-1
FtsZ2-1-RGACGTCGACATGCTCTGTGGAACTATTA
FtsZ2-2-FCGCGGATCCTTGACATACTTTTCGene cloning of MeFtsZ2-2
FtsZ2-2-RGACGTCGACAACTATTACCTACGG
FtsZ1-gfp-FAATGGTACCATGGCGACACTTCATCTConstruction of MeFtsZ1 fused with GFP (green fluorescent protein)
FtsZ1-gfp-RCACGGATCCAAAGAACAGCTTTCTAG
FtsZ2-1-gfp-FTTAGTCGACATGGCAGCTTGTGTGTConstruction of MeFtsZ2-1 fused with GFP
FtsZ2-1-gfp-RCATGGATCCAAGTCTTGGATAGCGA
FtsZ2-2-gfp-FTATGTCGACATGGCAGCCTGTCTGTConstruction of MeFtsZ2-2 fused with GFP
FtsZ2-2-gfp-RTATGGATCCAGCTCTTGGATAGCGC
FtsZ1-qPCR-FGCACCAGTTGTAGCCCAGATAExpression analysis of MeFtsZ1
FtsZ1-qPCR-RTCCTTCTGGCTGATGATGTTC
FtsZ2-1-qPCR-FGAACAACACAGCAACCACTCCExpression analysis of MeFtsZ2-1
FtsZ2-1-qPCR-RGAAGGGTGTGGATTTTGGAT
FtsZ2-2-qPCR-FCCAATCAACCCCAGTAACAGAExpression analysis of MeFtsZ2-2
FtsZ2-2-qPCR-RGGATTTTGCTGATGTGAGAG
Tubulin-FGTGGAGGAACTGGTTCTGGAExpression analysis of Tubulin gene
Tubulin-RTGCACTCATCTGCATTCTCC
Table
Table 2. Information for the cassava MeFtsZ genes.
Table 2. Information for the cassava MeFtsZ genes.
GenesAccession NumbersORF Length (bp)Length (aa)
MeFtsz1JN9361791248415
MeFtsz2-1JN9361801458485
MeFtsz2-2JQ3432161455484
Back to TopTop