Identification and Characterization of NF-Y Transcription Factor Families in the Monocot Model Plant Brachypodium distachyon
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Date
2011-06-30Author
Shuanghe Cao
Roderick W. Kumimoto
Chamindika L. Siriwardana
Jan R. Risinger
Ben F. Holt III
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Background Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y) is a heterotrimeric transcription factor composed of NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC proteins. Using the dicot plant model system Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), NF-Y were previously shown to control a variety of agronomically important traits, including drought tolerance, flowering time, and seed development. The aim of the current research was to identify and characterize NF-Y families in the emerging monocot model plant Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium) with the long term goal of assisting in the translation of known dicot NF-Y functions to the grasses. Methodology/Principal Findings We identified, annotated, and further characterized 7 NF-YA, 17 NF-YB, and 12 NF-YC proteins in Brachypodium (BdNF-Y). By examining phylogenetic relationships, orthology predictions, and tissue-specific expression patterns for all 36 BdNF-Y, we proposed numerous examples of likely functional conservation between dicots and monocots. To test one of these orthology predictions, we demonstrated that a BdNF-YB with predicted orthology to Arabidopsis floral-promoting NF-Y proteins can rescue a late flowering Arabidopsis mutant. Conclusions/Significance The Brachypodium genome encodes a similar complement of NF-Y to other sequenced angiosperms. Information regarding NF-Y phylogenetic relationships, predicted orthologies, and expression patterns can facilitate their study in the grasses. The current data serves as an entry point for translating many NF-Y functions from dicots to the genetically tractable monocot model system Brachypodium. In turn, studies of NF-Y function in Brachypodium promise to be more readily translatable to the agriculturally important grasses.
Citation
Cao S, Kumimoto RW, Siriwardana CL, Risinger JR, Holt BF III (2011) Identification and Characterization of NF-Y Transcription Factor Families in the Monocot Model Plant Brachypodium distachyon. PLoS ONE 6(6): e21805. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0021805