Expression of MYB Transcription Factor Genes in Response to Methyl Jasmonate, Salicylic Acid and Sodium Nitropruside in Selaginella bryopteris (L.) Baker

The effects of elicitors [methyl jasmonate (MeJ), salicylic acid (SA) and sodium nitropruside (SNP)] on expression of three MYB transcription factor genes (SbMYB1, SbMYB2 and SbMYB3) and flavonoid content was studied in Selaginella bryopteris. Gene expression analysis showed that SbMYB2 was responsive to MeJ as its expression increased (1.6–2.36 fold) as compared to control between 3 to 6h. The effect of SA was most prominent on SbMYB1 and SbMYB2 as their expression level increased (11-7.9 fold for SbMYB1 and 8.35 fold for SbMYB2) as compared to control between 3 to 6h. While the effect of SNP on expression SbMYB2 and SbMYB3 was prominent as compared to their respective control. The expression level increased (2.6–4 folds for SbMYB2 and 1.15–3.16 folds for SbMYB3) between 3 to 6h. The effect of elicitors on the flavonoid production was also evident in the present study. The content of flavonoid in methanolic extract of MeJ treated sample was found to be increased (1.2 fold) after 3h but declined at 6h and 9h as compared to control. Similarly, the content of flavonoid in methanolic extract of SA treated sample was found to be higher (1.85 fold) than control at 3h and later declined at 6h and 9h. The flavonoid content in methanolic extract of SNP treated sample was higher (1.84 fold) at 3h, 6h (2.13 fold) and at 9h (1.42 fold) as compared to control. The correlation was established between the gene expression and flavonoid content in response to elicitors. Out of three MYB genes studied only SbMYB2 was found to be most responsive to elicitors.