Abstract:
Chalcone synthase (CHS) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of plant flavonoids. However, information on
CHS genes in ferns is still unclear. In this study, rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was used to isolate the full-length sequence of the
CHS gene from model fern
Ceratopteris thalictroides (CtCHS, GenBank accession number: JX027616.1). Sequence analysis showed that the full length of the
CtCHS gene was 1616 bp, with three exons and two introns. Its ORF region was 1215 bp, encoding 404 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that
CtCHS was clustered with the other ferns, including
Equisetum arvense, Psilotum nudum and three leptosporangiate ferns, which reflected the monophyletic feature of the ferns according to Smith's system. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of this gene was significantly affected by ultraviolet (UV) treatment. In this study, the full-length sequence of
CtCHS was cloned and the function of the CtCHS protein was studied, thus providing molecular information for further studies on the effect of
CtCHS on flavonoids production.