Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of zm NAC Transcription Factor Gene

In order to study NAC transcription factor gene in maize(Zea mays), a completed c NAC encoding the NAC-like gene homologue named as Zm NAC was cloned from the maize inbred line Zheng 58 using a pair of specific primers, which were designed to cover the full coding region according to the reported NAC gene family. The length of the sequences was 953 bp.The deduced amino acid sequences analysis showed that the sequence contained the complete coding region of a typical NAC gene, including a complete open reading frame which was 939 bp. The study analyzed the expression patterns of NAC transcript gene induced in various PEG(polyethylene glycol) simulated drought condition. Real-time PCR indicated that maize NAC gene can be induced in various PEG to abiotic stress responses, it could express constitutively to adopt the drought condition in short time, and the higher drought, the more early expression, which indicated that NAC transcript gene could be involved in the regulation of the defense response.