Identification of PtGai (a DELLA protein) in trifoliate orange and expression patterns in response to drought stress

Abstract

Gibberellins (GAs) are an important hormone in regulating plant growth and development, and DELLA protein is an essential negative regulator of GA signal transduction. The aim of the study was to clone a GAinhibiting protein DELLA from trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) and to analyze the bioinformations and expression patterns of the protein gene in tissues and in response to drought stress. A DELLA protein was isolated from trifoliate orange and named as PtGai (Genebank number: MZ170959). The PtGai protein had 1731 bp open reading frames, along with 576 amino acid codes, and also grouped with sweet orange (XM_006430552.4). The PtGai protein sequence was 65% homology with the sequences of DELLA proteins in other plant families. PtGai protein existed in the nucleus based on the prediction of subcellular localization. PtGai protein could be expressed in roots, stems, and leaves, along with the highest expression in stems. PtGai was upregulated by drought stress in leaves and roots, along with the decrease of root total GA concentration and the inhibition of shoot and root biomass production. It indicated the characteristics of PtGai protein and the roles of PtGai in GA synthesis and plant growth.