TY  - EJOU
AU  - Li, Yuhang 
AU  - Sun, Li 
AU  - Wang, Tao 
AU  - Yu, Bingjun 
AU  - Gao, Zhihong 
AU  - Shu, Xiaochun 
AU  - Yan, Tengyue 
AU  - Zhuang, Weibing 
AU  - Wang, Zhong 

TI  - Molecular Cloning, Subcellular Localization and Expression Analyses of <i>PdbHLH57</i> Transcription Factor in Colored-Leaf Poplar
T2  - Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany

PY  - 2025
VL  - 94
IS  - 4
SN  - 1851-5657

AB  - bHLH transcription factors, widely exist in various plants, and are vital for the growth and development of these plants. Among them, many have been implicated in anthocyanin biosynthesis across various plants. In the present study, a <i>PdbHLH57</i> gene, belonging to the bHLH IIIf group, was characterized, which was isolated and cloned from the colored-leaf poplar ‘Zhongshancaiyun’ (ZSCY). The cDNA sequence of <i>PdbHLH57</i> was 1887 base pairs, and the protein encoded by <i>PdbHLH57</i> had 628 amino acids, the isoelectric point and molecular weight of which were 6.26 and 69.75 kDa, respectively. Through bioinformatics analysis, PdbHLH57 has been classified into the IIIf bHLH subgroup, with many members of this subgroup known to participate in anthocyanin biosynthesis. The subcellular localization analysis conducted in the leaf protoplasts of ‘ZSCY’ revealed that the PdbHLH57 protein is specifically localized in the nucleus. The transcription activation analysis was also conducted, and the results showed that the PdbHLH57 protein had self-transcription activation. To better explore the functions of the PdbHLH57 protein, two parts of this protein (PdbHLH57-1, PdbHLH57-2) were split to detect their transcriptional activation activity. The results indicated that PdbHLH57-1 (1-433aa) had self-transcription activation, and PdbHLH57-2 (433-628aa) had no transcription activation. The expression of <i>PdbHLH57</i> peaked in June during different developmental stages in ‘ZSCY’, and it was most highly expressed in the phloem among various tissues. These findings offer a basis for understanding the role of PdbHLH57 in colored-leaf poplar.
KW  - Transcription factors; <i>PdbHLH57</i>; subcellular localization; transcription activation analysis; expression pattern; colored-leaf poplar

DO  - 10.32604/phyton.2025.063647