Isolation, characterization, and evaluation of three Citrus sinensis-derived constitutive gene promoters

Regulatory sequences from the citrus constitutive genes cyclophilin (CsCYP), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase C2 (CsGAPC2), and elongation factor 1-alpha (CsEF1) were isolated, fused to the uidA gene, and qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated in transgenic sweet orange plants. The 5' upstream region of a gene (the promoter) is the most important component for the initiation and regulation of gene transcription of both native genes and transgenes in plants. The isolation and characterization of gene regulatory sequences are essential to the development of intragenic or cisgenic genetic manipulation strategies, which imply the use of genetic material from the same species or from closely related species. We describe herein the isolation and evaluation of the promoter sequence from three constitutively expressed citrus genes: cyclophilin (CsCYP), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase C2 (CsGAPC2), and elongation factor 1-alpha (CsEF1). The functionality of the promoters was confirmed by a histochemical GUS assay in leaves, stems, and roots of stably transformed citrus plants expressing the promoter-uidA construct. Lower uidA mRNA levels were detected when the transgene was under the control of citrus promoters as compared to the expression under the control of the CaMV35S promoter. The association of the uidA gene with the citrus-derived promoters resulted in mRNA levels of up to 60-41.8% of the value obtained with the construct containing CaMV35S driving the uidA gene. Moreover, a lower inter-individual variability in transgene expression was observed amongst the different transgenic lines, where gene constructs containing citrus-derived promoters were used. In silico analysis of the citrus-derived promoter sequences revealed that their activity may be controlled by several putative cis-regulatory elements. These citrus promoters will expand the availability of regulatory sequences for driving gene expression in citrus gene-modification programs.

Resistência ao Estresse Calórico em Frangos de Corte de Pescoço Pelado

Aves de duas linhagens, sendo uma portadora do gene pescoço pelado (Na_) que determina redução no empenamento, e outra não portadora, com empenamento normal (nana), foram submetidas a estresse térmico gradativo (38, 40 e 42ºC), em câmara climática, nas idades de 28, 35 e 42 dias, com o intuito de se verificar a resistência ao estresse térmico. Foram verificadas diferenças significativas entre a temperatura retal média e a taxa respiratória média da linhagem de empenamento normal quando comparada com a linhagem de pescoço pelado, em todas as idades e períodos de estresse. Foram verificados valores mais altos das aves de empenamento normal, demonstrando a influência do conjunto temperatura de estresse térmico e idade. Pôde-se constatar que houve diferença significativa entre as linhagens para as médias de perda de peso apenas aos 35 dias de idade. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a linhagem de pescoço pelado (Na_) possui maior resistência ao estresse térmico em relação à linhagem de empenamento normal (nana).