Genome-wide analysis of the heat shock transcription factor gene family in Sorbus pohuashanensis (Hance) Hedl identifies potential candidates for resistance to abiotic stresses

Genome-Wide Characterization of the Heat Shock Transcription Factor Gene Family in Betula platyphylla Reveals Promising Candidates for Heat Tolerance

Heat stress transcription factors (HSFs) play a critical role in orchestrating cellular responses to elevated temperatures and various stress conditions. While extensively studied in model plants, the HSF gene family in Betula platyphylla remains unexplored, despite the availability of its sequenced genome. In this study, we employed bioinformatics approaches to identify 21 BpHSF genes within the Betula platyphylla genome, revealing their uneven distribution across chromosomes. These genes were categorized into three subfamilies: A, B, and C. Each was characterized by conserved protein motifs and gene structures, with notable divergence observed between subfamilies. Collinearity analysis suggested that segmental duplication events have driven the evolutionary expansion of the BpHSF gene family. Promoter region analysis identified an array of cis-acting elements linked to growth, development, hormonal regulation, and stress responses. Subcellular localization experiments confirmed the nuclear localization of BpHSFA2a, BpHSFB1a, and BpHSFC1a, consistent with in silico predictions. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analyses revealed tissue-specific expression patterns of BpHSF genes and their dynamic responses to heat stress, with qPCR validation highlighting a significant upregulation of BpHSFA2a under high-temperature conditions. In summary, this study provided a comprehensive characterization of the HSF gene family in Betula platyphylla, laying a solid foundation for future functional studies. Particularly, BpHSFA2a emerges as a promising candidate gene for enhancing heat tolerance in Betula platyphylla, warranting further detailed investigation.

RtHSFA9s of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Positively Regulate Thermotolerance by Transcriptionally Activating RtHSFA2s and RtHSPs

Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) are crucial components in heat stress response. However, the contribution of the HSFs governing the inherent thermotolerance in Rhodomyrtus tomentosa has barely been investigated. We here compared the roles of RtHSFA9a, RtHSFA9b, and RtHSFA9c in heat stress tolerance. These three genes are the results of gene duplication events, but there exist vast variations in their amino acid sequences. They are all localized to the nucleus. Arabidopsis thaliana plants with overexpressed RtHSFA9a and RtHSFA9c outperformed the wild-type plants, while the over-accumulation of RtHSFA9b had little impact on plant thermotolerance. By transiently overexpressing RtHSFA9a, RtHSFA9b, and RtHSFA9c in R. tomentosa seedlings, the mRNA abundance of heat shock response genes, including RtHSFA2a, RtHSFA2b, RtHSP17.4, RtHSP21.8, RtHSP26.5, and RtHSP70, were upregulated. Transactivation assays confirmed that there exist regulatory divergences among these three genes, viz., RtHSFA9a has the highest transcription activity in regulating RtHSFA2a, RtHSFA2b, RtHSP21.8, and RtHSP70; RtHSFA9c can transcriptionally activate RtHSFA2b, RtHSP21.8, and RtHSP70; RtHSFA9b makes limited contributions to the accumulation of RtHSFA2b, RtHSP21.8, and RtHSP70. Our results indicate that the RtHSFA9 genes make crucial contributions to the thermal adaption of R. tomentosa by positively regulating the RtHSFA2a, RtHSFA2b, and RtHSP genes, which provides novel insights into the RtHSFA9 subfamily.

Heat-shock transcription factor HsfA8a regulates heat stress response in Sorbus pohuashanensis

MAIN CONCLUSION

The SpHsfA8a upregulated expression can induce the expression of multiple heat-tolerance genes, and increase the tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana to high-temperature stress. Sorbus pohuashanensis is an ornamental tree used in courtyards. However, given its poor thermotolerance, the leaves experience sunburn owing to high temperatures in summer, severely affecting its ornamental value. Heat-shock transcription factors play a critical regulatory role in the plant response to heat stress. To explore the heat-tolerance-related genes of S. pohuashanensis to increase the tree's high-temperature tolerance, the SpHsfA8a gene was cloned from S. pohuashanensis, and its structure and expression patterns in different tissues and under abiotic stress were analyzed, as well as its function in heat tolerance, was determined via overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana. The results showed that SpHsfA8a encodes 416 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 47.18 kDa and an isoelectric point of 4.63. SpHsfA8a is a hydrophilic protein without a signal peptide and multiple phosphorylation sites. It also contains a typical DNA-binding domain and is similar to MdHsfA8a in Malus domestica and PbHsfA8 in Pyrus bretschneideri. In S. pohuashanensis, SpHsfA8a is highly expressed in the roots and fruits and is strongly induced under high-temperature stress in leaves. The heterologous expression of SpHsfA8a in A. thaliana resulted in a considerably stronger growth status than that of the wild type after 6 h of treatment at 45 °C. Its proline content, catalase and peroxidase activities also significantly increased, indicating that the SpHsfA8a gene increased the tolerance of A. thaliana to high-temperature stress. SpHsfA8a could induce the expression of multiple heat-tolerance genes in A. thaliana, indicating that SpHsfA8a could strengthen the tolerance of A. thaliana to high-temperature stress through a complex regulatory network. The results of this study lay the foundation for further elucidation of the regulatory mechanism of SpHsfA8a in response of S. pohuashanensis to high-temperature stress.

Genome-Wide Identification of HSF Gene Family in Kiwifruit and the Function of AeHSFA2b in Salt Tolerance

Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) play a crucial role in regulating plant growth and response to various abiotic stresses. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the AeHSF gene family at genome-wide level in kiwifruit (Actinidia eriantha), focusing on their functions in the response to abiotic stresses. A total of 41 AeHSF genes were identified and categorized into three primary groups, namely, HSFA, HSFB, and HSFC. Further transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression of AeHSFA2b/2c and AeHSFB1c/1d/2c/3b was strongly induced by salt, which was confirmed by qRT-PCR assays. The overexpression of AeHSFA2b in Arabidopsis significantly improved the tolerance to salt stress by increasing AtRS5, AtGolS1 and AtGolS2 expression. Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid, dual-luciferase, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that AeHSFA2b could bind to the AeRFS4 promoter directly. Therefore, we speculated that AeHSFA2b may activate AeRFS4 expression by directly binding its promoter to enhance the kiwifruit's tolerance to salt stress. These results will provide a new insight into the evolutionary and functional mechanisms of AeHSF genes in kiwifruit.

Genome-wide identification, classification, and expression analysis of heat shock transcription factor family in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)

Switchgrass is one of the most promising bioenergy crops and is generally cultivated in arid climates and poor soils. Heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) are key regulators of plant responses to abiotic and biotic stressors. However, their role and mechanism of action in switchgrass have not been elucidated. Hence, this study aimed to identify the Hsf family in switchgrass and understand its functional role in heat stress signal transduction and heat tolerance by using bioinformatics and RT-PCR analysis. Forty-eight PvHsfs were identified and divided into three main classes based on their gene structure and phylogenetic relationships: HsfA, HsfB, and HsfC. The results of the bioinformatics analysis showed a DNA-binding domain (DBD) at the N-terminal in PvHsfs, and they were not evenly distributed on all chromosomes except for chromosomes 8 N and 8 K. Many cis-elements related to plant development, stress responses, and plant hormones were identified in the promoter sequence of each PvHsf. Segmental duplication is the primary force underlying Hsf family expansion in switchgrass. The results of the expression pattern of PvHsfs in response to heat stress showed that PvHsf03 and PvHsf25 might play critical roles in the early and late stages of switchgrass response to heat stress, respectively, and HsfB mainly showed a negative response to heat stress. Ectopic expression of PvHsf03 in Arabidopsis significantly increased the heat resistance of seedlings. Overall, our research lays a notable foundation for studying the regulatory network in response to deleterious environments and for further excavating tolerance genes in switchgrass.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of Heat Shock Protein 20 Gene Family in Sorbus pohuashanensis (Hance) Hedl under Abiotic Stress

Small heat shock proteins (HSP20s) are a significant factor in plant growth and development in response to abiotic stress. In this study, we investigated the role of HSP20s' response to the heat stress of Sorbus pohuashanensis introduced into low-altitude areas. The HSP20 gene family was identified based on the genome-wide data of S. pohuashanensis, and the expression patterns of tissue specificity and the response to abiotic stresses were evaluated. Finally, we identified 38 HSP20 genes that were distributed on 16 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis of HSP20s showed that the closest genetic relationship to S. pohuashanensis (SpHSP20s) is Malus domestica, followed by Populus trichocarpa and Arabidopsis thaliana. According to phylogenetic analysis and subcellular localization prediction, the 38 SpHSP20s belonged to 10 subfamilies. Analysis of the gene structure and conserved motifs indicated that HSP20 gene family members are relatively conserved. Synteny analysis showed that the expansion of the SpHSP20 gene family was mainly caused by segmental duplication. In addition, many cis-acting elements connected with growth and development, hormones, and stress responsiveness were found in the SpHSP20 promoter region. Analysis of expression patterns showed that these genes were closely related to high temperature, drought, salt, growth, and developmental processes. These results provide information and a theoretical basis for the exploration of HSP20 gene family resources, as well as the domestication and genetic improvement of S. pohuashanensis.

Functional Characterization of Heat Shock Factor (CrHsf) Families Provide Comprehensive Insight into the Adaptive Mechanisms of Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC. to Tropical Coral Islands

Heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) are key regulators in plant heat stress response, and therefore, they play vital roles in signal transduction pathways in response to environmental stresses, as well as in plant growth and development. Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC. is an extremophile halophyte with good adaptability to high temperature and salt-drought tolerance, and it can be used as a pioneer species for ecological reconstruction on tropical coral islands. To date, very little is known regarding the functions of Hsfs in the adaptation mechanisms of plant species with specialized habitats, especially in tropical leguminous halophytes. In this study, a genome-wide analysis was performed to identify all the Hsfs in C. rosea based on whole-genome sequencing information. The chromosomal location, protein domain or motif organization, and phylogenetic relationships of 28 CrHsfs were analyzed. Promoter analyses indicated that the expression levels of different CrHsfs were precisely regulated. The expression patterns also revealed clear transcriptional changes among different C. rosea tissues, indicating that the regulation of CrHsf expression varied among organs in a developmental or tissue-specific manner. Furthermore, the expression levels of most CrHsfs in response to environmental conditions or abiotic stresses also implied a possible positive regulatory role of this gene family under abiotic stresses, and suggested roles in adaptation to specialized habitats such as tropical coral islands. In addition, some CrHsfAs were cloned and their possible roles in abiotic stress tolerance were functionally characterized using a yeast expression system. The CrHsfAs significantly enhanced yeast survival under thermal and oxidative stress challenges. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the plant Hsf gene family and provide a basis for further study of CrHsf functions in environmental thermotolerance. Our results also provide valuable information on the evolutionary relationships among CrHsf genes and the functional characteristics of the gene family. These findings are beneficial for further research on the natural ecological adaptability of C. rosea to tropical environments.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Hsp20 Gene Family in Canavalia rosea Indicates Its Roles in the Response to Multiple Abiotic Stresses and Adaptation to Tropical Coral Islands

Heat shock protein 20 (Hsp20) is a major family of heat shock proteins that mainly function as molecular chaperones and are markedly accumulated in cells when organisms are subjected to environmental stress, particularly heat. Canavalia rosea is an extremophile halophyte with good adaptability to environmental high temperature and is widely distributed in coastal areas or islands in tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, we identified a total of 41 CrHsp20 genes in the C. rosea genome. The gene structures, phylogenetic relationships, chromosome locations, and conserved motifs of each CrHsp20 or encoding protein were analyzed. The promoters of CrHsp20s contained a series of predicted cis-acting elements, which indicates that the expression of different CrHsp20 members is regulated precisely. The expression patterns of the CrHsp20 family were analyzed by RNA sequencing both at the tissue-specific level and under different abiotic stresses, and were further validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The integrated expression profiles of the CrHsp20s indicated that most CrHsp20 genes were greatly upregulated (up to dozens to thousands of times) after 2 h of heat stress. However, some of the heat-upregulated CrHsp20 genes showed completely different expression patterns in response to salt, alkaline, or high osmotic stresses, which indicates their potential specific function in mediating the response of C. rosea to abiotic stresses. In addition, some of CrHsp20s were cloned and functionally characterized for their roles in abiotic stress tolerance in yeast. Taken together, these findings provide a foundation for functionally characterizing Hsp20s to unravel their possible roles in the adaptation of this species to tropical coral reefs. Our results also contribute to the understanding of the complexity of the response of CrHsp20 genes to other abiotic stresses and may help in future studies evaluating the functional characteristics of CrHsp20s for crop genetic improvement.