MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND PROMOTER ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF GROWTH REGULATOR BRAGRF5 IN BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS L. SSP. CHINENSIS

Abstract

The transcriptional regulation of eukaryotic gene expression is a critical aspect, with transcription factors playing a key role by combining with cis-acting elements in the promoter regions. Growth regulating factors (GRFs) are plant-specific transcriptional factors. The Arabidopsis thaliana growth-regulating factor gene (AtGRF5), when ectopically expressed in crops such as Beta vulgaris (sugar beet) and Brassica napus (canola), has an effect of accelerating shoot organogenesis and enhancing the efficiency of genetic transformation. However, an efficient plant regeneration and genetic transformation system in Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis, a major vegetable crop in China, remains to be established. In this work, we identified and characterized the AtGRF5 ortholog in B. campestris, named as BraGRF5, from BRAD database. Molecular analysis of BraGRF5 gene and exploration of its protein interaction network were further conducted. Therefore, the promoter region of BraGRF5 was thoroughly examined to determine cis-acting elements of various kinds and quantities. It is expected to provide a foundation for regulation of BraGRF5, and a informative reference for the improvement of B. campestris transformation efficiency and molecular breeding.