Cloning and expression analysis of transcription factor gene LbWIN1 in response to abiotic stress in Lycium barbarum ssp. Bianguo

Wax inducer 1/SHN1 (WIN1/SHN1) plays an important role in plant responses to stress resistance. To investigate the functions of WIN1 in the xerophytic economic shrub Lycium barbarum ssp. Bianguo and its application prospects, an AP2/ERF transcription factor-encoding gene, LbWIN1, was cloned using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A pBI221::EGFP::LbWIN1 vector was constructed and expressed in the protoplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana for subcellular localization analysis. The expression patterns of LbWIN1 were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that the LbWIN1 gene was 1103 bp in terms of its full length and contained a 600 bp open reading frame, encoding 199 amino acids. One highly conserved AP2 domain was found in LbWIN1. Phylogenetic analysis showed that LbWIN1 has 99% homology with WIN1 from Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum chinense. LbWIN1 was located in the nucleus. Expression pattern analysis revealed that LbWIN1 is expressed in the leaves, stems, and roots, and its expression level was rapidly induced by NaCl, osmotic stress, and exogenous abscisic acid, indicating that LbWIN1 is involved in the stress response of L. barbarum ssp. Bianguo.