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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2014, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (1): 69-75.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20140111

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Functional Characterization and Expression Analysis of Aquaporin Genes (HbPIP 1 and HbPIP 2) in Hevea brasiliensis

Wang Jin1, An Feng2 3, Cai Xiuqing1, Zou Zhi2, Zhang Wei1, Lin Weifu2   

  1. 1. College of Agriculture, Hainan University Haikou 570228;
    2. Rubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences Danzhou Investigation & Experiment Station of Tropical Crops of Ministry of Agriculture Danzhou 571737;
    3. Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University Geelong, Victoria, 3216, Australia
  • Received:2013-03-27 Revised:2013-05-22 Online:2014-01-25 Published:2014-01-25
  • Contact: 林位夫

Abstract:

In this study, Xenopus laevis oocytes were used to test the functional characterization of our previously cloned HbPIP 1 and HbPIP 2 aquaporin genes from rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis). The result showed that HbPIP 1 had the function of transmembrane water transport however HbPIP 2 has not. We therefore infer that HbPIP 1 is involved in the mechanism of Ethrel-induced latex promotion. An Ethrel sensitive rubber clone PR107 was selected as the plant material. The gene expression profiles of HbPIP 1 at both transcript level and translation level were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot to investigate their link with the effect of Ethrel on latex flow duration, latex volume, dry rubber content (DRC) and total solids content (TSC). It was found that the expression of HbPIP 1 in latex, bark and xylem was higher than that in petioles and blades of various periods. The expression of HbPIP 1 in PR107 latex presented an increase trend with the Ethrel treatment duration, while it was down-regulated in the bark. This expression might facilitate the water transport into rubber laticifers and therefore can decrease latex DRC and TSC, prolong latex flow and enhance the latex yield.

Key words: Hevea brasiliensis, aquaporin, function characterization, expression analysis, tissue-specific expression, Ethrel stimulation, latex dilution

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