Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of two lea genes in chrysanthemum

Late embryogenesis abundant protein (LEA) has been demonstrated to play essential roles in plant growth, development, and also in a variety of environmental stress responses. In this study, 2 LEA gene family members were cloned and named CmLEA2-2 and CmLEA6-5, then computationally examined to explore its physical and chemical characteristics, evolutionary links, and expression patterns in different tissues and under low-temperature stress. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CmLEA2-2 and TcLEA14 are closely related, while CmLEA6-5 and PfLEA is closely related. The expression of the CmLEA gene in distinct tissues of chrysanthemum is tissue specific: the expression of CmLEA2-2 gene was highest in leaves, second in stems, and lower in roots and flowers; the CmLEA6-5 gene was highest expressed in stem, but not in other tissues. The expression study of the 2 discovered LEA family members under low-temperature stress revealed that lowtemperature stress influenced the transcription of the chrysanthemum LEA gene. The expression of them increased, but there were variances in response time and intensity. They're supposed to help the chrysanthemum cope with stress and protect its cells. This could be owing to the tiny molecular weight and strong hydrophilic properties of the CmLEA protein. (author)