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Comparative analysis of embryo surrounding region (Esr-6) genes in Turkish maize varieties: sequencing and modeling

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Abstract

Defensins are cysteine-rich small proteins found in plants and animals. Esr-6 (embryo surrounding region-6), which is a kind of plant defensin gene, plays an important role in nutrition, defense, and signaling of embryo. In this study, Esr-6 genes in three Turkish maize varieties (TMVs) such as Safak, Sakarya, and Seker were sequenced and characterized. Open reading frame (ORF) and protein length of Esr-6 was found as 324 bp and 111 amino acids, respectively. All TMVs contained gamma-thionin family (PF00304) domain, and subcellular localizations were predicted as extracellular. Predicted signal peptide, mature protein, and acidic pro-domain were identified in all TMVs. Four most conserved motifs were identified, but only motif 1 was found to be related with gamma-thionin family. Eight conserved cysteine residues, which are the characteristics of defensins, were detected in all TMVs. In phylogenetic analysis, Esr-6 proteins were clearly diverged from other plant defensins with the highest bootstrap value (100 %). Predicted 3D structures of Esr-6 proteins were similar to each other, including one α-helix and two β-sheets. Conserved cysteine residues, including Cys51, Cys55, Cys66, Cys73, Cys75, and Cys79, were detected in 3D structures of all TMVs. Our study showed that Esr-6 genes and their product are well conserved among TMVs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Fatih University, Buyukcekmece, 34500, Istanbul, Turkey

    Huseyin Tombuloglu & Mehtap Aydin

  2. Department of Crop and Animal Production, Cilimli Vocational School, Duzce University, Cilimli, 81750, Duzce, Turkey

    Ertugrul Filiz

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  1. Huseyin Tombuloglu
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  2. Mehtap Aydin
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  3. Ertugrul Filiz
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Correspondence to Ertugrul Filiz.

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Tombuloglu, H., Aydin, M. & Filiz, E. Comparative analysis of embryo surrounding region (Esr-6) genes in Turkish maize varieties: sequencing and modeling. Braz. J. Bot 39, 287–293 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-015-0206-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-015-0206-2

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