Identification of GCC-box and TCC-box motifs in the promoters of differentially expressed genes in rice (Oryza sativa L.): Experimental and computational approaches

PLoS One. 2019 Apr 26;14(4):e0214964. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214964. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The transcription factor selectively binds with the cis-regulatory elements of the promoter and regulates the differential expression of genes. In this study, we aimed to identify and validate the presence of GCC-box and TCC-box motifs in the promoters of upregulated differentially expressed genes (UR-DEGs) and downregulated differentially expressed genes (DR-DEGs) under anoxia using molecular beacon probe (MBP) based real-time PCR. The GCC-box motif was detected in UR-DEGs (DnaJ and 60S ribosomal protein L7 genes), whereas, the TCC-box was detected in DR-DEGs (DnaK and CPuORF11 genes). In addition, the mechanism of interaction of AP2/EREBP family transcription factor (LOC_Os03g22170) with GCC-box promoter motif present in DnaJ gene (LOC_Os06g09560) and 60S ribosomal protein L7 gene (LOC_Os08g42920); and TCC-box promoter motif of DnaK gene (LOC_Os02g48110) and CPuORF11 gene (LOC_Os02g01240) were explored using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations analysis including binding free energy calculations, principal component analyses, and free energy landscapes. The binding free energy analysis revealed that AP2/EREBP model residues such as Arg68, Arg72, Arg83, Lys87, and Arg90 were commonly involved in the formation of hydrogen bonds with GCC and TCC-box promoter motifs, suggesting that these residues are critical for strong interaction. The movement of the entire protein bound to DNA was restricted, confirming the stability of the complex. This study provides comprehensive binding information and a more detailed view of the dynamic interaction between proteins and DNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • DNA, Plant / genetics
  • DNA, Plant / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant*
  • Nucleotide Motifs*
  • Oryza* / genetics
  • Oryza* / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins* / genetics
  • Plant Proteins* / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic*
  • Transcription Factors* / genetics
  • Transcription Factors* / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA, Plant
  • Plant Proteins
  • Transcription Factors

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Further, extension of this project was financially supported by Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (IPET) through Agri-Bio industry Technology Development Program and financially supported by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) (117044-3). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.