Molecular cloning and characterization of NAC genes from four foxtail millet genotypes

Abstract

Transcription factor gene family of NAC (NAM, ATAF, CUC) is tightly involved in plant development and in the response to stresses. In this study, we reported the isolation and the characterization of NAC gene homolog from four foxtail millet genotypes. Band with approximately 1300 bp size was successfully amplified from the genomic DNA of four foxtail millet genotypes (ICERI-4, ICERI-5, ICERI-6 and ICERI-10) using gene specific primer. The fragment was designated as SiNAC065 after showing high similarity with NAC gene homologs in the GenBank. Sequence analysis results showed that the SiNAC065 genes isolated from the four genotypes were 1265 bp in length with one intron and two exons. The two exons encode 325 amino acids with the conserved domain located between amino acid 19-325. The SiNAC065 protein identified in this study have 8 conserved motives in the conserved region which categorized them as SNAC (stress responsive NACs) orthologs that are involved in the abiotic stress responses. Different features of SiNAC065 isolated from the tolerant- and the sensitive-genotypes should provide information of the gene’s role in salinity tolerance mechanism of foxtail millet.