树莓莽草酸脱氢酶RniSDH3基因的表达特性及功能分析

者 浩1,胡 强1,郑智怡1,高小丽1,苏 静1,朱映安1,乔 琴1,邵建辉2*,马春花1*

1云南农业大学园林园艺学院,昆明 650201;2云南农业大学植物保护学院,昆明 650201)

摘 要:【目的】阐明树莓莽草酸脱氢酶基因RniSDH3在鞣花酸生物合成与积累中的作用。【方法】以红泡刺藤树莓为材料,基于其高质量基因组鉴定并分析莽草酸脱氢酶(SDH)基因家族;通过序列比对和系统发育分析验证其同源性,并利用烟草瞬时表达系统进行亚细胞定位;结合RT-qPCR与HPLC分析RniSDH3在果实发育过程中表达水平与鞣花酸含量的相关性;通过农杆菌介导的遗传转化获得RniSDH3 过表达愈伤组织,验证其对鞣花酸含量的影响。【结果】RniSDH3蛋白由530个氨基酸组成,包含SDH家族保守结构域Shikimate_dh_NNAD_bind_Shikimate_DH,与其他物种的莽草酸脱氢酶同源性较高;该蛋白理化性质稳定,无跨膜结构域;亚细胞定位试验表明RniSDH3定位于细胞质与细胞核;在树莓果实发育阶段,RniSDH3表达量与鞣花酸含量同步下降,且两者呈高度正相关;相比对照组,转基因愈伤组织中RniSDH3基因表达量显著提高约4倍,鞣花酸含量显著提高约1.4倍。【结论】RniSDH3能够促进树莓中鞣花酸的合成与积累,为利用分子育种提高果实鞣花酸含量提供理论依据。

关键词:树莓;鞣花酸;基因功能;RniSDH3

鞣花酸(ellagic acid,EA)是一种由没食子酸衍生的天然多酚化合物,是植物重要的次级代谢产物,广泛分布于多种植物中,尤其在石榴、葡萄、草莓、覆盆子等果实中含量丰富[1-4]。作为典型的植物多酚类次生代谢物,鞣花酸在植物体内发挥重要的生物学功能,能够清除活性氧,赋予植物抗氧化、抗菌及抗逆境等能力,在植物防御体系中具有独特而关键的作用[5-7]。同时,大量研究表明鞣花酸对人类健康具有潜在益处,具备显著的抗炎、抗菌、抗肿瘤、降血糖及免疫调节等药理活性,在多种慢性疾病预防与治疗中展现出广阔的应用前景[8-10]

植物中鞣花酸的生物合成依赖于莽草酸(shikimate)途径[11],该过程可分为三个阶段:第一阶段通过莽草酸代谢途径合成前体物质没食子酸(gallic acid,GA);第二阶段通过没食子酰化-脱没食子酰化循环代谢途径合成前体物质鞣花单宁;第三阶段通过鞣花单宁(ellagitannin,ET)水解代谢途径合成鞣花酸[12-15]。在第一阶段中,莽草酸脱氢酶(shikimate dehydrogenase,SDH)催化3-脱氢莽草酸(3-DHS)转化为没食子酸,是该通路的关键限速酶。SDH常与3-脱氢奎宁酸脱水酶(DQD)形成双功能酶(DQDSDH),共同完成莽草酸途径的关键反应步骤[16]。已有研究表明,在其他物种中SDH基因的表达水平与没食子酸及其衍生物的积累密切相关。例如,在葡萄中,VvSDH3VvSDH4已被证实能够促进没食子酸的合成[17];在茶树中,CsSDH3/4 的表达水平与没食子酸及其衍生物(表没食子儿茶素类)含量呈显著正相关,过表达该基因可促进相关产物的积累[18];在渗透胁迫下,石榴果皮中PgSDH3/4 基因的表达水平上调,并伴随着没食子酸和水解单宁(hydrolysable tannins,HTs)含量的增加[14]。以上研究共同表明,SDH基因家族在植物鞣花酸的前体物质合成中发挥核心作用。

树莓(Rubus L.)是营养丰富的浆果类水果,具有鲜食、加工和药用等多重价值。然而,我国栽培品种较少,制约了产业发展[19-22]。研究报道,树莓原生种包括覆盆子(Rubus idaeus)、插田藨(R. coreanus)、毛莓(R.parvifolius)、红泡刺藤(R.niveus)、山莓(R. corchorifolius)等[23]。其中,分布于我国西南地区的红泡刺藤(R.niveus Thunb.)适应性强、抗逆性好,并且果实中鞣花酸含量极高,具有较高的营养和保健价值[24]。虽然SDH 基因在多种作物的没食子酸及其衍生物生物合成中已得到广泛研究,但树莓中SDH 基因家族在鞣花酸合成中的具体功能尚未明确。因此,本研究基于课题组高质量的红泡刺藤树莓基因组,筛选并鉴定出4 个SDH 基因家族成员,重点分析了果实发育过程中候选基因RniSDH3对鞣花酸合成积累的作用;并通过对RniSDH3 进行生物信息学特征分析、表达特征检测和转基因功能验证,揭示其在树莓鞣花酸合成中的作用,为培育高鞣花酸含量的优良树莓品种提供科学依据。

1 材料和方法

1.1 试验材料

本试验选用云南农业大学园林园艺学院小浆果种质资源圃(102°7′ N,25°1′ E)种植良好的红泡刺藤树莓作为研究材料,分别于花后24、30、36、45 d(2024年5—7月)采集不同发育时期的果实样品(图1)。在同一时期,选取3个大小和成熟度一致、无病虫害、无机械损伤的果实以及幼嫩叶片。所有样品采集后立即用液氮速冻并保存在-80 ℃冰箱中,用于总RNA 的提取。用于亚细胞定位的模式植物为本实验室种植的28 日龄烟草(Nicotiana benthamiana)。

图1 树莓(红泡刺藤)果实不同发育时期
Fig.1 Different developmental periods of the raspberry fruit

1.2 RniSDH3的生物信息学分析

基于本研究团队组装的树莓(红泡刺藤)高质量基因组以及注释文件(未发表)、两种树莓(红泡刺藤、椭圆悬钩子)转录组、代谢组数据(未发表),从EBI(https://www.ebi.ac.uk/interpro/entry/pfam)网站下载Pfam domain(NAM)结构域的HMM 模型文件。使用HMMER(v3.3.2)工具将红泡刺藤基因组蛋白序列与该模型比对,将P-value<1-e-5的序列作为候选基因,利用Expasy(https://www.expasy.org/)、MEME(http://meme-suite.org/tools/meme)在线网站分析RniSDH3 蛋白理化性质;利用Prabi(https://doua.prabi.fr/)在线网站中的Gor Iv Secondary Structure Prediction Method 预测蛋白二级结构;利用SWISS-MODEL 在线网站(https://swissmodel. expasy.org/)预测蛋白三维结构;利用NCBI 数据库BLASTP 筛选同源蛋白序列,并利用MEGA11 软件邻接法(neighbor-Joining,NJ)构建系统进化树;使用Jalview软件进行SDH蛋白序列的多序列比对分析。

1.3 总RNA的提取和cDNA的合成

按照高纯度RNA提取试剂盒(天根生化科技有限公司,北京)说明书提取样品总RNA。使用Nano-Drop 微型分光光度计测定RNA 浓度,以琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测RNA 完整性,样品保存于-80 ℃冰箱。根据反转录预混型试剂盒(翌圣生物科技股份有限公司,上海)说明书,先去除基因组DNA,再进行反转录获取cDNA,保存于-20 ℃冰箱,用于后续基因克隆与RT-qPCR检测。

1.4 实时荧光定量PCR

根据NCBI数据库序列信息设计RniSDH3基因RT-qPCR 引物(表1),产物长度253 bp,以RniActin作为内参基因。20 μL 反应体系:2×SYBR®Green qPCR 混合液10 μL,上、下游引物(10 μmol·L-1)各1 μL,cDNA 模板2 μL,蒸馏水补至20 μL。PCR 反应程序:95 ℃30 s;95 ℃5 s,60 ℃30 s,40个循环;65 ℃5 s,95 ℃5 s。实验在BIO-RAD CFX Connect荧光定量PCR系统上进行,采用2-ΔΔCt法计算基因相对表达量,设置3个生物学重复。

表1 RniSDH3 基因RT-qPCR 分析、克隆、阳性鉴定及功能验证所用引物
Table 1 Primers of RniSDH3 used for RT-qPCR analysis,gene cloning and function verification

引物名称Primer name RniSDH3 OE-RniSDH3 RniActin qPCR-RniSDH3 RniSDH3-Hpt上游引物(5'→3')Upstream primer(5'→3')ATGGGAAGCCTTCCGTTTACTA CTCTCGAGCTTTCGCGAGCTCATGGGAAGCCTTCCGTTTACTA CCTTTCGCGCTCAGCCTTGA TTTCTGAGCAGCCCGACA ACACTACATGGCGTGATTTCAT下游引物(5'→3')Downstream primer(5'→3')TTATGCATGTTTCTCCATGAGCTC GCCCTTGCTCACCATGGATCCTTATGCATGTTTCTCCATGAGCTC AAGTCGACCACCACGGGTCA TCGCTTGGTTTCATCGCC TCCACTATCGGCGAGTACTTCT

1.5 RniSDH3基因克隆与载体构建

根据树莓基因组注释(基因号Runiv06G0035400)获取RniSDH3基因序列,使用Primer 5.0设计特异性引物(表1)。以红泡刺藤叶片cDNA 为模板,进行PCR 扩增,并对扩增产物进行测序验证。PCR 反应程序:95 ℃3 min;95 ℃15 s,56 ℃15 s,72 ℃2 min,35 个循环;72 ℃5 min。利用双酶切法,选择SacⅠ和BamHⅠ酶切位点,对pC1300s-GFP 载体进行双酶切。将克隆获得的目的基因RniSDH3 与酶切后的线性化载体进行同源重组,成功构建pC1300s-RniSDH3-GFP 载体。将该质粒转化至大肠杆菌DH5α,经菌落PCR 检测正确的阳性菌落送至昆明擎科生物技术有限公司进行测序,并通过Snap-Gene8.0 软件对测序结果进行比对分析,最终获得RniSDH3全长CDS序列。

1.6 亚细胞定位

通过冻融法将pC1300s-RniSDH3-GFP 质粒转入农杆菌GV3101(唯地生物,上海)中,挑取阳性克隆在含利福平和卡那霉素的LB 固体培养基上培养2~3 d。挑取单菌落,接种于液体培养基,经扩大培养后,测定OD600至0.6~0.8。利用农杆菌介导的瞬时表达法将菌液注射至28 日龄烟草叶片下表皮细胞中,暗培养24 h 后恢复光照培养48 h。使用永新光学生产的NEXCOPE 品牌NCF1000 激光共聚焦显微镜观察GFP 荧光分布并进行拍摄。以携带pC1300s-GFP空载体的农杆菌注射的烟草叶片作为对照,分析RniSDH3-GFP融合蛋白的亚细胞定位。

1.7 RniSDH3转基因愈伤组织的获得

参考Cao 等[25]的方法并稍加改进,以红泡刺藤健康粗壮根段(直径≥1 cm,生长年龄≥1年)作为试验材料,将根段裁剪成3~4 cm 长段,用刀片刮去表皮增加感染面积,置于重悬液中浸泡10~15 min,擦干重悬液备用。将处理好的根段放置于培养基中,根段上部切口处露出基质以接受光照,培养条件为25 ℃/18 ℃、16 h光/8 h暗、相对湿度100%。经过1~2周培养后,根段诱导形成愈伤组织,使用荧光显微镜观察愈伤组织中GFP 信号,并提取愈伤组织DNA。利用载体中潮霉素Hpt 抗性基因片段(557 bp)进行PCR 阳性鉴定,以携带pC1300s-GFP 空载体的农杆菌侵染根段获得的愈伤组织作为对照。对鉴定为阳性的转基因愈伤组织进行RT-qPCR 分析和高效液相色谱分析。

1.8 鞣花酸含量检测

称取0.1 g 鲜样于预冷的液氮研钵中研磨成粉末后,转移至1.5 mL 离心管;加入50 mL 预冷的100%甲醇,在80 ℃水浴中回流提取120 min;取出冷却,用甲醇定容至50 mL,以2200 g 离心15 min(室温),取上清液10 mL 储存于4 ℃备用。将样品转移至进样瓶,用Agilent 1260 infinityⅡHPLC 系统(配G1314F VWD 检测器)进行检测和数据处理。HPLC 条件:色谱柱选用瑞典KromasilC18 色谱柱(250 mm×4.6 mm×5 mm),柱温30 ℃,流动相流速:1 mL·min-1,进样量:10 μL,检测波长:254 nm。其中,流动相为A相:1%H3PO4(量取1mL H3PO4,用纯水定容至1 L,经水系滤膜过滤至流动相瓶);B 相:纯甲醇。使用前全部超声脱气10 min。

1.9 统计分析

数据的单因素方差分析(one-way analysis of variance testing,ANOVA)和t 检验(Student’s t-test)分别在IBM SPSS Statistics 26 和GraphPad Prism 10软件中完成。所有图表数据均为平均值±标准差(Mean ± SD)。使用GraphPad Prism 10、TBtoolsⅡ、Jalview和Microsoft Excel 2023软件绘制图表。

2 结果与分析

2.1 树莓RniSDHs基因的鉴定与命名

为了鉴定树莓中的SDHs基因家族成员,以莽草酸脱氢酶的Shikimate_dh_N 结构域(Pfam PF08501)构建隐马尔可夫模型,在树莓基因组中进行检索,共识别出4个含有Shikimate_dh_N结构域的SDHs候选基因(基因编号:Runiv01G0189200、Runiv01G0189300、Runiv06G0035400、Runiv06G0035500)。将这4 个候选基因蛋白序列与拟南芥、茶树和葡萄中的SDH蛋白序列进行比对,并构建系统发育树(图2)。结果显示,Runiv01G0189200 和Runiv01G0189300 与拟南芥AtSDH1 亲缘关系最近,分别命名为RniSDH1-1 和RniSDH1-2;Runiv06G0035400 与葡萄VvSDH3 和茶树CsSDH3 亲缘关系最近,命名为RniSDH3;Runiv06G0035500 与葡萄VvSDH4、茶树CsSDH4亲缘关系最近,命名为RniSDH4。

2.2 树莓RniSDH3基因的筛选

为鉴定参与树莓果实鞣花酸生物合成的关键SDH基因,本研究测定了4个SDHs基因家族成员在果实不同发育时期的表达模式,以及不同发育时期树莓果实中鞣花酸含量。结果表明,RniSDH3 基因表达量与鞣花酸含量同步下降,且与花后24 d 树莓果实中鞣花酸含量呈显著正相关(图3),推测RniSDH3 参与了树莓果实鞣花酸的积累。因此,选择RniSDH3进行后续研究。

2.3 树莓RniSDH3基因克隆及载体构建

以红泡刺藤树莓叶片cDNA为模板进行PCR扩增,得到1条符合预期、长度约为1593 bp的条带(图4-A)。测序比对结果表明,该序列与树莓RniSDH3基因参考序列一致,表明树莓RniSDH3 基因已成功克隆。将植物表达载体pC1300s-RniSDH3-GFP 转化至大肠杆菌感受态DH5α,挑选单菌落进行菌落PCR 检测(图4-B),经测序验证其序列与目的基因序列一致,表明pC1300s-RniSDH3-GFP载体构建成功(图4-C)。

图4 RniSDH3 基因克隆和表达载体的PCR 检测
Fig.4 PCR detection of RniSDH3 gene cloning and its expression vector

A.RniSDH3 基因PCR 扩增电泳图,M:DL5000 DNA marker;B.pC1300s-RniSDH3-GFP 菌液PCR 检测电泳图,M:DL5000 DNA marker;C.RniSDH3 编码区序列比对,RniSDH3-1 为参考序列,RniSDH3-2 为测序结果。
A. Gel image of RniSDH3 gene amplification, M:DL5000 DNA Marker; B. Gel image of colony PCR detection for pC1300-RniSDH3-GFP,M:DL5000 DNA Marker;C.Alignment of RniSDH3 coding region sequences,RniSDH3-1 served as the reference sequence,while RniSDH3-2 was the sequencing result.

2.4 树莓RniSDH3 蛋白的多序列比对以及蛋白理化性质分析

为了分析RniSDH3 蛋白在进化过程中的保守性,在NCBI 数据库通过BLASTP 筛选树莓RniSDH3 的同源蛋白序列,共选取7 个物种[黑莓(Rubus argutus)、草莓(Fragaria vesca)、蔷薇(Rosa rugosa)、蕨麻(Argentina anserina)、西班牙栓皮栎(Quercus suber)、欧洲桤木(Alnus glutinosa)、大西洋黄连木(Pistacia atlantica))]的蛋白序列进行多序列比对分析。结果显示,绝大多数SDH家族成员均含有2 个保守性较高的结构域,分别为Shikimate_dh_N 结构域与NAD_bind_Shikimate_DH 结构域(图5-A)。

进一步对RniSDH3蛋白理化性质进行分析,发现RniSDH3 蛋白由530 个氨基酸组成,分子式为C2570H4085N691O771S20;蛋白分子质量为57.64 kDa,理论等电点为6.00,为酸性蛋白质;带负电荷残基数为61,带正电荷残基数为54;不稳定指数为28.87;脂溶系数为92.04,总平均亲水性为-0.075,以上结果表明RniSDH3是一个稳定的蛋白质(表2)。

表2 树莓RniSDH3 蛋白理化性质
Table 2 Physicochemical properties of RniSDH3 protein

一级结构特征Characteristic of primary structure氨基酸数量Number of amino acids/aa分子质量Molecular mass/kDa分子式Molecular formula带正电荷残基总数Total number of positively charged resdues带负电荷残基总数Total number of negatively charged resdues不稳定指数Instability coefficient脂溶系数Aliphatic index总平均亲水性Acerage hydrophobicity预测结果Prediction results 530 57.64 C2570H4085N691O771S20 54 61 28.87 92.04-0.075

蛋白质二级、三级结构预测结果表明(图5-B~C),该蛋白质由4种二级结构元件组成。其中,α螺旋(alpha helix)占比44.15%(234个氨基酸残基),无规卷曲(random coil)占比40.38%(214 个氨基酸残基),延伸链(extended strand)占比15.47%(82 个氨基酸残基),表明RniSDH 蛋白的二级结构以α 螺旋为主,其次是无规则卷曲。TMHMM 2.0 网站预测结果显示RniSDH3 蛋白不含跨膜结构域(图5-D);Expasy网站预测结果显示RniSDH3蛋白含有多个亲水区和疏水区(图5-E)。

2.5 树莓RniSDH3的亚细胞定位分析

为了明确RniSDH3的亚细胞定位,利用农杆菌介导的烟草瞬时表达法,将携带RniSDH3-GFP 融合蛋白的农杆菌GV3101 转化至烟草叶片,使用激光共聚焦显微镜观察荧光位置。携带pC1300s-GFP 空载体的烟草细胞在整个细胞中均能观察到绿色荧光,而携带pC1300s-RniSDH3-GFP 载体的烟草细胞在细胞核和细胞质中观察到明显的荧光信号,表明RniSDH3 蛋白定位在细胞核和细胞质(图6)。

图6 RniSDH3 在烟草叶表皮亚细胞定位
Fig.6 Subcellular localization of RniSDH3 in leaf epidermis of Nicotiana benthamiana

激光通道从左至右分别为明场、GFP 荧光、mCherry 和合并图;标尺=50μm。
The laser channels from left to right are:brightfield,GFP fluorescence,mCherry,and merged image;Scale bar=50 μm.

2.6 RniSDH3 促进转基因树莓愈伤组织中鞣花酸合成

为了研究RniSDH3 在树莓鞣花酸生物合成中的功能,利用红泡刺藤CDB(Cut-Dip-Budding)转化体系对根段进行侵染,筛选获得阳性愈伤组织,利用RT-qPCR 技术分析阳性愈伤组织中RniSDH3 基因相对表达量。结果表明,通过手持荧光仪照射愈伤组织,发现转基因愈伤组织具有明显荧光信号(图7-A),以转基因愈伤组织的DNA为PCR模板,并选取载体中557 bp 的Hpt 潮霉素标签进行阳性检测,转基因愈伤组织有条带,WT没有条带,经鉴定获得了过表达RniSDH3转基因愈伤组织(图7-B)。在过表达RniSDH3 愈伤组织中,RniSDH3 相对表达量显著提高,约为对照组的4 倍(图7-C);鞣花酸含量测定结果显示,在过表达RniSDH3 愈伤组织中,鞣花酸含量较对照组显著提高了1.14倍(图7-D)。上述结果表明RniSDH3 基因能够促进树莓愈伤组织中鞣花酸的合成与积累。

图7 过表达RniSDH3 对树莓愈伤鞣花酸含量的影响
Fig.7 Effect of RniSDH3 Overexpression on Ellagic Acid Content in Rubus niveus callus

A.愈伤组织荧光检测(Ⅰ:荧光照射下的WT 愈伤组织,Ⅱ:荧光照射下的转基因愈伤组织);B.RniSDH3 转基因愈伤组织鉴定;C. 转基因愈伤组织中RniSDH3 基因的相对表达量;D.转基因愈伤组织中鞣花酸含量;标尺=1cm。**表示在P≤0.01 水平上非常显著,***表示在P≤0.001 水平上极显著。
A. Fluorescence analysis of callus tissue (Ⅰ:WT callus under fluorescent lighting; Ⅱ:Transgenic callus under fluorescent lighting); B. Positive identification of the healing tissues;C.Expression in the healing tissues of overexpressed RniSDH3 root segments;D.Ellagic acid content of the callus.scale bar=1 cm.**denotes a very significant difference at the level of P ≤0.01,while***denotes an extremely significant difference at the level of P ≤0.001.

3 讨 论

鞣花酸是一种具有显著生物活性的多酚化合物,广泛存在于树莓、石榴等果实中[26]。研究表明,鞣花酸具有抗氧化、抗炎、抗菌和抗癌等多种生理功能,因此在植物的合成机制中备受关注[27-28]。鞣花酸的生物合成依赖于莽草酸途径,莽草酸脱氢酶家族既能催化3-脱氢莽草酸转化为莽草酸,也能催化其转化为没食子酸[29]。没食子酸是合成水解单宁的重要前体物质,可通过后续酶促反应生成鞣花酸等多酚类衍生物[14]。因此,莽草酸脱氢酶基因SDH 是莽草酸代谢与鞣花酸合成通路的关键分支节点基因,鉴定出参与合成鞣花酸关键前体没食子酸的莽草酸脱氢酶,对解析树莓果实中鞣花酸的积累机制具有重要意义。

本研究从树莓基因组中共鉴定出4个SDH基因家族成员(RniSDH1-1RniSDH1-2RniSDH3RniSDH4),与葡萄SDH 基因家族成员数量一致[17],但少于石榴(6个成员)[14]。石榴中SDH基因家族成员数量增加主要源于PgSDH3基因簇发生了物种特异性的串联重复事件(包含2个不同亚型,且每个亚型包含2 个基因),导致SDH 基因家族规模与树莓、葡萄不同。

已有的系统发育研究分析显示,植物中SDH蛋白可划分为5个主要进化分支(Ⅰ~Ⅴ)[17]。本研究系统分析了树莓、葡萄、茶树与拟南芥SDH基因家族成员的进化关系,发现树莓的4个SDH成员被划分为3个分支(Ⅰ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ),而其他物种则划分为多个分支[17],这表明树莓SDH 家族在进化过程中可能发生了特定的进化分化或功能简化。同时,不同分支的SDH成员,其功能存在差异。分支Ⅰ/Ⅱ主要行使经典的SDH功能即催化3-DHS向莽草酸转化[30];分支Ⅲ(如石榴PgSDH3、葡萄VvSDH3)则主要参与没食子酸合成及转运;分支Ⅳ的功能尚未明确,但有研究报道分支Ⅳ同样参与没食子酸的生物合成[14,17-18]。本研究中,树莓RniSDH3属于分支Ⅲ成员,因此推测其可能参与鞣花酸的重要前体——没食子酸的合成。

基因的组织特异性表达模式往往反映其在特定生理过程或代谢途径中的功能[31]。例如,参与植物次生代谢的结构基因和调控基因常表现出果实、叶片或种子等器官特异性表达特征,这为其在次生代谢产物积累中的功能研究提供了重要依据[32]。为明确树莓鞣花酸生物合成中的关键SDH 基因家族成员,本研究分析了4个RniSDH基因在果实不同发育时期的表达模式。结果表明,RniSDH3 在花后24 d的果实中表达量最高,随后随果实成熟而下降,其表达量变化与果实中鞣花酸的积累呈显著正相关。而在葡萄中,VvSDH3在花后18~35 d的果皮与种子中高表达,随后随果实成熟,其表达量下降;在果皮中的表达量与果实中没食子酸的积累呈显著正相关;在种子中的表达量与果实中没食子酸的积累呈显著负相关;而没食子酸的直接代谢产物葡萄糖没食子鞣苷含量随着果实成熟而下降,推测该现象产生的主要原因是没食子酸在种子中大量积累且未能被代谢,即葡萄种子中可能缺少能够代谢没食子酸的糖苷转移酶[17]。在茶树CsSDH3 的功能研究中,通过异源转化番茄发现,CsSDH3 在转基因番茄的顶芽与幼叶中高表达,但在果实、老叶中基本不表达。在番茄中尚未报道存在没食子酸或鞣花酸,因此番茄果实中CsSDH3不表达可能源于番茄中缺乏葡萄糖没食子鞣苷生物合成途径。在异源表达CsSDH3的番茄中,其生成的没食子酸被进一步代谢为其他物质,如没食子化儿茶素(galloylated catechins,GC)[18]。以上研究共同表明了分支ⅢSDH 基因(SDH3 类)在调控植物多酚(特别是没食子酸生物合成途径中的相关多酚)合成中的核心作用。

基因结构显示,SDHs 成员均包含SDH 基因家族保守的Shikimate_dh_N 结构域和NAD_bind_Shikimate_DH 结构域,符合SDH 蛋白的典型特征[17]。对关键成员RniSDH3的蛋白理化性质分析表明,它由530 个氨基酸编码组成,是一种稳定的非跨膜蛋白,其二级和三级结构预测结果支持其功能的稳定性。序列比对分析发现,RniSDH3与蔷薇科近缘物种(如草莓、蔷薇)SDH同源蛋白的序列同源性均超过90%,表明其在芳香族氨基酸及酚类合成途径中的功能具高保守性。亚细胞定位试验显示RniSDH3 主要定位于细胞质和细胞核中,这与茶树中CsSDH3的研究结果一致[18],但与石榴PgSDH3的研究结果存在差异[14],推测该差异可能是因为石榴SDH3基因家族功能高度分化,PgSDH3-1PgSDH3-2 亚型基因主要功能为没食子酸的生物合成,而PgSDH3a-1PgSDH3a-2 亚型基因主要功能为没食子酸的胞内转运。推测红泡刺藤中SDH3的功能分化尚未完全,因此在亚细胞定位试验中,RniSDH3蛋白同时定位于细胞质与细胞核中,且该蛋白兼具没食子酸的生物合成与胞内转运双重功能。

为明确RniSDH3 对鞣花酸含量的影响,本研究采用了新型快速遗传转化方法——CDB法,对RniSDH3 基因功能进行验证[25,33-34]。该方法无需依赖传统的组织培养体系,能够在有菌条件下实现植物的高效遗传转化,为非模式果树基因功能研究提供了新的技术途径。本研究利用该方法成功获得了RniSDH3 转基因树莓愈伤组织。采用RT-qPCR 法与HPLC 法分别检测转基因愈伤组织中RniSDH3的相对表达量及鞣花酸含量。结果显示,转基因愈伤组织中RniSDH3 的相对表达量与鞣花酸含量均显著高于对照组,这表明过表达RniSDH3 可有效促进鞣花酸的积累。这一结果与葡萄、茶树和石榴中关于SDH3 基因功能的报道高度一致[14,17-18],表明过表达SDH3能够促进没食子酸及其衍生物的合成与积累。以上研究结果表明RniSDH3可能通过提高3-脱氢莽草酸向没食子酸的转化效率,提高下游鞣花酸的生物合成速率,从而在树莓鞣花酸生物合成途径中发挥关键作用。

4 结 论

在树莓中鉴定了4 个SDH 基因家族成员,并证实RniSDH3 参与了树莓鞣花酸的生物合成。首次明确了RniSDH3 基因在树莓鞣花酸合成积累中的关键作用,为利用分子育种技术培育高鞣花酸积累型树莓提供了重要的理论基础。

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Expression characteristics and functional analysis of RniSDH3 gene in raspberry

ZHE Hao1,HU Qiang1,ZHENG Zhiyi1,GAO Xiaoli1,SU Jing1,ZHU Ying’an1,QIAO Qin1,SHAO Jianhui2*,MA Chunhua1*

(1College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 530100, Yunnan, China;2College of Plant Protection,Yunnan Agricultural University,Kunming 530100,Yunnan,China)

Abstract:【Objective】Ellagic acid (EA) is a significant polyphenolic secondary metabolite with notable health-promoting properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, as well as preventive effects on cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Raspberries (Rubus L.) are the richest natural sources of EA and serve as an ideal model for studying its biosynthetic pathways. However, efforts in raspberry breeding in China began relatively late, and the scarcity of elite cultivars has become a major constraint on industrial development. Rubus niveus Thunb., a wild raspberry species widely distributed in Southwest China, exhibits strong environmental adaptability, ease of cultivation,and high EA content, making it a valuable candidate for genetic improvement. The biosynthesis of EA in plants involves three main stages:the formation of gallic acid (GA) through the shikimate pathway,the conversion of GA to ellagitannins,and the hydrolysis of ellagitannins to produce EA.Shikimate dehydrogenase (SDH) catalyzes the conversion of 3-dehydroshikimate (3-DHS) to GA and represents a key enzyme in this pathway.Previous studies in grapevine and tea have confirmed the role of SDH family genes in GA biosynthesis;however,their function in raspberry remains unclear.Using a high-quality genome assembly of R. niveus, we identified four members of the SDH gene family. Expression analysis across fruit developmental stages revealed a significant positive correlation between RniSDH3 expression levels and EA accumulation. Further analyses, including bioinformatics, subcellular localization,and expression profiling of RniSDH3,were performed.The function of RniSDH3 was validated using an overexpression system in transgenic raspberry callus. This research aims to clarify the role of RniSDH3 in EA biosynthesis and to provide a theoretical foundation and genetic resources for the molecular breeding of raspberry cultivars with elevated EA content.【Methods】The RniSDH3 gene was identified and cloned from the genome of the red raspberry cultivar‘Rubus niveus Thunb.’. Sequence and domain analyses were performed, and homology to known SDH proteins was assessed by multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Subcellular localization of RniSDH3 was determined by transient expression of a RniSDH3-GFP fusion in tobacco leaf cells. EA content in fruits at 24, 30, 36,and 45 days after flowering was quantified by HPLC,and RniSDH3 expression was measured by RT-qPCR. Transgenic raspberry calli overexpressing RniSDH3 were generated via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to assess their effect on EA accumulation.【Results】This study identified four genes homologous to shikimate dehydrogenase(SDH)in raspberry,which were named RniSDH1-1,RniSDH1-2,RniSDH3, and RniSDH4, respectively. The expression levels of these genes during different developmental stages of raspberry fruit were determined using RT-qPCR,and their correlation with EA content at each stage was analyzed.The results showed that among the candidate genes, the expression pattern of RniSDH3 was consistent with the trend of EA accumulation, suggesting that RniSDH3 may play a key role in EA biosynthesis in raspberry.Based on this,RniSDH3 was selected for further functional investigation. The full-length CDS of RniSDH3 was cloned and subjected to sequence analysis. The results revealed that the encoded protein contains typical conserved domains:Shikimate_dh_N and NAD_bind_Shikimate_DH, both of which are highly conserved among SDH proteins in various plants such as rose,strawberry,and blackberry.Physicochemical analysis showed that RniSDH3 encodes a stable, non-transmembrane protein composed of 530 amino acids, with neutral hydrophilicity. Sequence alignment indicated that RniSDH3 shares over 70% sequence identity with homologous SDH proteins from related Rosaceae species(e.g.,strawberry and rose),suggesting its conserved role in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids and phenolic compounds. Subcellular localization analysis showed that RniSDH3 is mainly localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus.To further investigate the effect of RniSDH3 on EA accumulation,an RniSDH3 overexpression vector was constructed and used to generate transgenic raspberry calli via the CDB method.The results showed that the EA content in RniSDH3-overexpressing transgenic tissues was significantly higher than that in the empty vector control,indicating that RniSDH3 overexpression promotes EA accumulation in raspberry.Taken together with previous studies, the findings demonstrate that RniSDH3, a member of the SDH gene family, plays a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of EA in raspberry.This research provides a molecular basis for the development of raspberry cultivars enriched in EA through genetic improvement.【Conclusion】RniSDH3 is a key SDH gene involved in EA biosynthesis in raspberry. Its expression is closely associated with EA accumulation during fruit development, and its overexpression can significantly elevate EA levels. This study provides new insights into the molecular regulation of EA metabolism and lays a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of raspberry cultivars with enhanced nutritional and functional properties.

Key words:Raspberry;Ellagic acid;Gene function;RniSDH3

中图分类号:S663.2

文献标志码:A

文章编号:1009-9980(2026)04-0776-13

DOI:10.13925/j.cnki.gsxb.20250480

收稿日期:2025-08-25

接受日期:2025-09-30

基金项目:云南省农业联合基金(202301BD070001-020);云南省科技人才与平台计划(202505AS350015)

作者简介:者浩,男,在读硕士研究生,研究方向为果树分子生物学。Tel:0871-65227654,E-mail:857340716@qq.com

*通信作者 Author for correspondence.E-mail:2007033@ynau.edu.cn;E-mail:shaojianhui@126.com