Ectopic expression a maize ADP-ribosylation factor gene in Arabidopsis, increase plant size and growth rate

摘要

We isolated an ADP-ribosylation factor in maize, and named it as ZmARF: ZmARF nucleotide sequence was 821 bp in length, which consists of a 91 bp 5'-untranslated region (UTR), a 185 bp 3' UTR, and a 543 bp open reading frame (ORF). The ORF of ZmARF gene encoded 181 deduced amino acid residues. Real-time quantitative PCR (RTPCR) analysis indicated that ZmARF expression level was most abundant in root and embryo but was very low in mature leaves, silks and seeds. In order to understand possible roles of ZmARF gene, ZmARF was transformed into Arabidopsis. The results showed that ectopic expression of ZmARF in Arabidopsis lead to increase in plant leaf and seed size and increased transgenic plant growth rate. The study suggested that ZmARF might play an important role in growth and development in maize.