In silico mining and functional analysis of AP2/ERF gene in With ania somnifera
Loading...
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Withania somnifera owing to its strong and remarkable stress tolerance property is a reliable candidate
for the determination of genes involved in mechanism of adaption/tolerance of various stress
conditions. 187 AP2/ERF gene related transcripts (GRTs) were identifed during comprehensive search
in W. somnifera transcriptome repertoire. Major hits in homology search were observed from the model
plant Arabidopsis and members of Solanaceae family. Cloning, expression analysis of the gene and
genetic transient transformation with the gene (WsAP2) were performed to predict its functional role
in planta. Enhanced expression of some of the pathway genes for terpenoid biosynthesis was observed
in transformed tissues in comparison to the control tissues. It is speculated that WsAP2 gene crucially
regulates the expression of GGPPS gene in addition to the regulation of other important genes of
terpenoid pathway via induction of expression of other genes such as HMGR, CAS, DXS and DXR. To the
best of our knowledge, this is the frst report representing detailed study of AP2/ERF gene family in
W. somnifera. It is also suggested from the study that gene might have role in eliciting responses to
combat stress and attribute the strong stress tolerant property associated with the plant.