Cloning, characterization and expression pattern analysis of NtNAC072 gene in Nicotiana tabacum

Members of plant-specific NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) transcription factor family have been reported to play important roles in plant development, senescence and biotic/abiotic stress. To clarify the function of NtNAC072 in Nicotiana tabacum, the coding sequence (CDS) of NtNAC072 was cloned. The bioinformatic analysis, subcellular localization and transactivation activity of NtNAC072 were carried out, and the expression pattern of NtNAC072 was analyzed by qRT-PCR. The results showed that N-terminal region of NtNAC072 was a typical NAC domain and was highly conserved. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that NtNAC072 was homologous with ANAC072 in Arabidopsis. Subcellular localization and transactivation demonstrated that NtNAC072 was localized in nucleus and had transactivation activity. qRT-PCR suggested that NtNAC072 was highly expressed in senescing leaves and was up-regulated by the treatments of drought, salt stresses and ABA. Therefore, NtNAC072, a typical NAC transcription factor, may play an important role in tobacco leaf senescence, leaf fall and response to abiotic stress.