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Mol Biol Rep (2012) 39:69676974 DOI 10.1007/s11033-012-1524-0
Cloning and expression analysis of GmGAL1, SOC1 homolog gene in soybean
Xiaofang Zhong Xi Dai Jiaohui Xv
Hanying Wu Bin Liu Hongyu Li
Received: 11 October 2011 / Accepted: 24 January 2012 / Published online: 16 February 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012
Abstract A MADS box gene AGL20/SOC1 is a main integrator in Arabidopsis owering pathway whose structure and function are highly conserved in many plant species. A soybean MADS box gene GmGAL1 (Glycine max AGAMOUS Like 1) as a homolog of AGL20/SOC1, was cloned from soybean cultivar Kennong18 and its function was investigated in transgenic Arabidopsis lines. Sequence comparisons showed that the closest homolog gene to GmGAL1 is AGL20/SOC1 in Arabidopsis and VuSOC1 in Vigna unguiculata. We investigated the expression level of GmGAL1 using quantitative real-time PCR, and the result showed that GmGAL1 was regulated by a circadian mechanism and its expression oscillated at a cycle of 24 h. The expression level of GmGAL1 was uctuated in diverse tissues/organs and developmental stages. Considering its expression can be detected in different tissues throughout the life cycle and its protein localized in cytoplasm in Arabidopsis protoplasm, we proposed that GmGAL1 may be a multifunctional gene in the context of the soybean development. Ectopic expression of GmGAL1 in Arabidopsis enhanced owering under long-day condition and partially rescued soc1 late owering type.
Keywords Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.)
GmGAL1 Flowering
Introduction
MADS-box genes belong to a large multifunctional family which controls the identity of the apex meristem, development of lateral organs, and owering time of plants [1 8]. In Arabidopsis, AGAMOUS-like (AGL) genes belong to a sub-family of MADS-box genes which play important roles especially in regulating owering pathways. For example, FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC, AGL25) acts as a repressor of owering [912]. APETALA1 (AP1, AGL7) promotes owering and controls the identity of meristem and sepals [13, 14] and AGL12 regulates both owering time and root development [15].
Another AGL gene, SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS (SOC1), is a critical integrator of different owering pathways which promotes owering in Arabidopsis [1620]. Its expression was detected in several organs include leaves, root, steam apex, etc. [19, 21]. In development stages, mRNA abundance of SOC1 increases after seed germination and further accelerates...