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Han N, Li F, Zhu H, Li T, Wang X, Li T, Kang J, Zhang Z. Comprehensive analysis of WOX transcription factors provide insight into genes related to the regulation of unisexual flowers development in Akebia trifoliata. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129486. [PMID: 38237833 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Akebia trifoliata is a fascinating economic and medicinal plant that produces functionally unisexual flowers due to stamen/pistil abortion during flower development, and the genetic regulation pathway of this process remain completely unknown. Here, 10 AktWOXs were identified for the first time, all contained a highly conserved homeodomain. AktWOXs were divided into three clades, each with the same or similar intron, exon, and motifs distribution. Many cis-elements related to stress response, growth and development, and hormone response were found in the AktWOXs promoter region. In addition, four candidate genes AktWOX8, AktWOX11, AktWOX13.2 and AktWUS that might be involved in unisexual flowers development were screened, all of which were located in the nucleus and showed transcriptional activation activity. Yeast one-hybrid showed that both AktKNU and AktAG1, the potential core transcription factors in the activity termination pathway of flower meristem stem cells, could bind to the promoter region of AktWUS. Dual-luciferase assay further confirmed that only AktKNU inhibited the expression of AktWUS. Collectively, this study revealed the mechanism of AktWUS that might affect the formation of unisexual flowers by regulating the timely termination of flower meristem in A. trifoliata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Han
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Fengjiao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Huiqin Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Tian Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Xiuting Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Tao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Juqing Kang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China.
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Wang D, Qiu Z, Xu T, Yao S, Zhang M, Cheng X, Zhao Y, Ji K. Identification and Expression Patterns of WOX Transcription Factors under Abiotic Stresses in Pinus massoniana. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1627. [PMID: 38338907 PMCID: PMC10855728 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factors (TFs) play a crucial role in regulating plant development and responding to various abiotic stresses. However, the members and functions of WOX proteins in Pinus massoniana remain unclear. In this study, a total of 11 WOX genes were identified, and bioinformatics methods were used for preliminary identification and analysis. The phylogenetic tree revealed that most PmWOXs were distributed in ancient and WUS clades, with only one member found in the intermediate clade. We selected four highly conserved WOX genes within plants for further expression analysis. These genes exhibited expressions across almost all tissues, while PmWOX2, PmWOX3, and PmWOX4 showed high expression levels in the callus, suggesting their potential involvement in specific functions during callus development. Expression patterns under different abiotic stresses indicated that PmWOXs could participate in resisting multiple stresses in P. massoniana. The identification and preliminary analysis of PmWOXs lay the foundation for further research on analyzing the resistance molecular mechanism of P. massoniana to abiotic stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kongshu Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Open Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Gene Engineering of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (D.W.); (Z.Q.); (T.X.); (S.Y.); (M.Z.); (X.C.); (Y.Z.)
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3
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Wang R, Li X, Zhu S, Zhang D, Han S, Li Z, Lu J, Chu H, Xiao J, Li S. Integrated flow cytometric and proteomics analyses reveal the regulatory network underlying sugarcane protoplast responses to fusion. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 202:107918. [PMID: 37619268 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Somatic cell fusion is a process that transfers cytoplasmic and nuclear genes to create new germplasm resources. But our limited understanding of the physiological and molecular mechanisms that shape protoplast responses to fusion. METHOD We employed flow cytometry, cytology, proteomics, and gene expression analysis to examine the sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) protoplast fusion. RESULTS Flow cytometry analysis revealed the fusion rate of protoplasts was 1.95%, the FSC value and SSC of heterozygous cells was 1.17-1.47 times higher than that of protoplasts. The protoplasts viability decreased and the MDA increased after fusion. During fusion, the cell membranes were perforated to different degrees, nuclear activity was weakened, while microtubules depolymerized and formed several short rod like structures in the protoplasts. The most abundant proteins during fusion were mainly involved in RNA processing and modification, cell cycle control, cell division, chromosome partition, nuclear structure, extracellular structures, and nucleotide transport and metabolism. Moreover, the expression of key regeneration genes, such as WUS, GAUT, CESA, PSK, Aux/IAA, Cdc2, Cyclin D3, Cyclin A, and Cyclin B, was significantly altered following fusion. PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE Overall, our findings provide a theoretical basis that increases our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying protoplast fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Xinzhu Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, South-Central Minzu University, No. 182, Minzu Avenue, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Shuifang Zhu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Demei Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Shijian Han
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Zhigang Li
- Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Jiahui Lu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Haiwei Chu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Jiming Xiao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Suli Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 Daxue Rd., Nanning, 530004, China.
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4
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Genome-Wide Analysis of WOX Multigene Family in Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043352. [PMID: 36834765 PMCID: PMC9968055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) is a family of specific transcription factors involved in plant development and response to stress, characterized by the presence of a homeodomain. This study represents the first comprehensive characterization of the WOX family in a member of the Asteraceae family, the sunflower (H. annuus L.). Overall, we identified 18 putative HaWOX genes divided by phylogenetic analysis in three major clades (i.e., ancient, intermediate, and WUS). These genes showed conserved structural and functional motifs. Moreover, HaWOX has homogeneously distributed on H. annuus chromosomes. In particular, 10 genes originated after whole segment duplication events, underpinning a possible evolution of this family along with the sunflower genome. In addition, gene expression analysis evidenced a specific pattern of regulation of the putative 18 HaWOX during embryo growth and in ovule and inflorescence meristem differentiation, suggesting a pivotal role for this multigenic family in sunflower development. The results obtained in this work improved the understanding of the WOX multigenic family, providing a resource for future study on functional analysis in an economically valuable species such as sunflower.
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Induction of Somatic Embryogenesis in Plants: Different Players and Focus on WUSCHEL and WUS-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) Transcription Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415950. [PMID: 36555594 PMCID: PMC9781121 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In plants, other cells can express totipotency in addition to the zygote, thus resulting in embryo differentiation; this appears evident in apomictic and epiphyllous plants. According to Haberlandt's theory, all plant cells can regenerate a complete plant if the nucleus and the membrane system are intact. In fact, under in vitro conditions, ectopic embryos and adventitious shoots can develop from many organs of the mature plant body. We are beginning to understand how determination processes are regulated and how cell specialization occurs. However, we still need to unravel the mechanisms whereby a cell interprets its position, decides its fate, and communicates it to others. The induction of somatic embryogenesis might be based on a plant growth regulator signal (auxin) to determine an appropriate cellular environment and other factors, including stress and ectopic expression of embryo or meristem identity transcription factors (TFs). Still, we are far from having a complete view of the regulatory genes, their target genes, and their action hierarchy. As in animals, epigenetic reprogramming also plays an essential role in re-establishing the competence of differentiated cells to undergo somatic embryogenesis. Herein, we describe the functions of WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) transcription factors in regulating the differentiation-dedifferentiation cell process and in the developmental phase of in vitro regenerated adventitious structures.
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Wang Z, Cai Q, Xia H, Han B, Li M, Wang Y, Zhu M, Jiao C, Wang D, Zhu J, Yuan W, Zhu D, Xu C, Wang H, Zhou M, Zhang X, Shi J, Chen J. Genome-Wide Identification and Comparative Analysis of WOX Genes in Four Euphorbiaceae Species and Their Expression Patterns in Jatropha curcas. Front Genet 2022; 13:878554. [PMID: 35846114 PMCID: PMC9280045 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.878554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) proteins are widely distributed in plants and play important regulatory roles in growth and development processes such as embryonic development and organ development. Here, series of bioinformatics methods were utilized to unravel the structural basis and genetic hierarchy of WOX genes, followed by regulation of the WOX genes in four Euphorbiaceae species. A genome-wide survey identified 59 WOX genes in Hevea brasiliensis (H. brasiliensis: 20 genes), Jatropha curcas (J. curcas: 10 genes), Manihot esculenta (M. esculenta: 18 genes), and Ricinus communis (R. communis: 11 genes). The phylogenetic analysis revealed that these WOX members could be clustered into three close proximal clades, such as namely ancient, intermediate and modern/WUS clades. In addition, gene structures and conserved motif analyses further validated that the WOX genes were conserved within each phylogenetic clade. These results suggested the relationships among WOX members in the four Euphorbiaceae species. We found that WOX genes in H. brasiliensis and M. esculenta exhibit close genetic relationship with J. curcas and R. communis. Additionally, the presence of various cis-acting regulatory elements in the promoter of J. curcas WOX genes (JcWOXs) reflected distinct functions. These speculations were further validated with the differential expression profiles of various JcWOXs in seeds, reflecting the importance of two JcWOX genes (JcWOX6 and JcWOX13) during plant growth and development. Our quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated that the JcWOX11 gene plays an indispensable role in regulating plant callus. Taken together, the present study reports the comprehensive characteristics and relationships of WOX genes in four Euphorbiaceae species, providing new insights into their characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanjun Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Utilization of Woody Oil Resource, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha, China
| | - Qianwen Cai
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Haimeng Xia
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Bingqing Han
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Minhui Li
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Yue Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Minhui Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Chunyan Jiao
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Dandan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junjie Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenya Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Di Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Congcong Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Hongyan Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Minghui Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Xie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Utilization of Woody Oil Resource, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha, China
| | - Jisen Shi
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinhui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education of China, Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Jinhui Chen,
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7
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Zhang Y, Liu Y, Wang X, Wang R, Chen X, Wang S, Wei H, Wei Z. PtrWOX13A Promotes Wood Formation and Bioactive Gibberellins Biosynthesis in Populus trichocarpa. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:835035. [PMID: 35837467 PMCID: PMC9274204 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.835035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) genes are plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) involved in multiple processes of plant development. However, there have hitherto no studies on the WOX TFs involved in secondary cell wall (SCW) formation been reported. In this study, we identified a Populus trichocarpa WOX gene, PtrWOX13A, which was predominantly expressed in SCW, and then characterized its functions through generating PtrWOX13A overexpression poplar transgenic lines; these lines exhibited not only significantly enhanced growth potential, but also remarkably increased SCW thicknesses, fiber lengths, and lignin and hemicellulose contents. However, no obvious change in cellulose content was observed. We revealed that PtrWOX13A directly activated its target genes through binding to two cis-elements, ATTGATTG and TTAATSS, in their promoter regions. The fact that PtrWOX13A responded to the exogenous GAs implies that it is responsive to GA homeostasis caused by GA inactivation and activation genes (e.g., PtrGA20ox4, PtrGA2ox1, and PtrGA3ox1), which were regulated by PtrWOX13A directly or indirectly. Since the master switch gene of SCW formation, PtrWND6A, and lignin biosynthesis regulator, MYB28, significantly increased in PtrWOX13A transgenic lines, we proposed that PtrWOX13A, as a higher hierarchy TF, participated in SCW formation through controlling the genes that are components of the known hierarchical transcription regulation network of poplar SCW formation, and simultaneously triggering a gibberellin-mediated signaling cascade. The discovery of PtrWOX13A predominantly expressed in SCW and its regulatory functions in the poplar wood formation has important implications for improving the wood quality of trees via genetic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Agricultural Microbiology Technology, Ministry of Education, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yingying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Xueying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Ruiqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Xuebing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Hairong Wei
- College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Zhigang Wei
- Engineering Research Center of Agricultural Microbiology Technology, Ministry of Education, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering and Biological Fermentation Engineering for Cold Region, School of Life Sciences, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, China
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Ren H, Chen S, Hou J, Li H. Genome-wide identification, expression analyses of Wuschel-related homeobox (WOX) genes in Brachypodium distachyon and functional characterization of BdWOX12. Gene X 2022; 836:146691. [PMID: 35738446 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
As one kind of plant-specific transcription factors (TFs), WOX (Wuschel-related homeobox) plays an essential role in plant growth and development. In this study, 21 WOX TFs were identified in Brachypodium distachyon. They were divided into ancient, intermediate, and WUS clades based on phylogenetic analysis. These 21 BdWOX genes are mapped on 5 chromosomes unevenly. In the promoters, the most abundant cis-elements are ABRE, TGACG-motif, and G-box. qRT-PCR results showed that most BdWOX genes are expressed in vegetative and reproductive organs. Meanwhile, the expression of 14, 12, and 15 BdWOX genes are up-regulated by exogenous 6-BA, NAA, and GA, respectively. These results indicated that BdWOX genes participate in hormone signaling and regulate plant growth and development. Overexpression of BdWOX12 in Arabidopsis improved the root system, further indicating the functions of BdWOX genes in growth and development. This study provided a basis for the functional elucidation of BdWOX genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712000, China
| | - Shoukun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712000, China
| | - Jiayuan Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712000, China
| | - Haifeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712000, China.
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Yang T, Gao T, Wang C, Wang X, Chen C, Tian M, Yang W. In silico genome wide identification and expression analysis of the WUSCHEL-related homeobox gene family in Medicago sativa. Genomics Inform 2022; 20:e19. [PMID: 35794699 PMCID: PMC9299560 DOI: 10.5808/gi.22013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is an important food and feed crop which rich in mineral sources. The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene family plays important roles in plant development and identification of putative gene families, their structure, and potential functions is a primary step for not only understanding the genetic mechanisms behind various biological process but also for genetic improvement. A variety of computational tools, including MAFFT, HMMER, hidden Markov models, Pfam, SMART, MEGA, ProtTest, BLASTn, and BRAD, among others, were used. We identified 34 MsWOX genes based on a systematic analysis of the alfalfa plant genome spread in eight chromosomes. This is an expansion of the gene family which we attribute to observed chromosomal duplications. Sequence alignment analysis revealed 61 conserved proteins containing a homeodomain. Phylogenetic study sung reveal five evolutionary clades with 15 motif distributions. Gene structure analysis reveals various exon, intron, and untranslated structures which are consistent in genes from similar clades. Functional analysis prediction of promoter regions reveals various transcription binding sites containing key growth, development, and stress-responsive transcription factor families such as MYB, ERF, AP2, and NAC which are spread across the genes. Most of the genes are predicted to be in the nucleus. Also, there are duplication events in some genes which explain the expansion of the family. The present research provides a clue on the potential roles of MsWOX family genes that will be useful for further understanding their functional roles in alfalfa plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhui Yang
- Institute of Animal Science, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan 750002, China
| | - Ting Gao
- Institute of Animal Science, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan 750002, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- Institute of Animal Science, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan 750002, China
| | - Xiaochun Wang
- Institute of Animal Science, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan 750002, China
| | - Caijin Chen
- Branch Institute of Guyuan, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Guyuan 756000, China
| | - Mei Tian
- Institute of Horticultural Science, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan 750002, China
| | - Weidi Yang
- Institute of Animal Science, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan 750002, China
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Akbulut SE, Okay A, Aksoy T, Aras ES, Büyük İ. The genome-wide characterization of WOX gene family in Phaseolus vulgaris L. during salt stress. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 28:1297-1309. [PMID: 35910444 PMCID: PMC9334486 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-022-01208-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox (WOX) family is a type of homeobox transcription factor superfamily and its members perform many functions ranging from plant embryonic growth to organ formation in plants. Although the WOX proteins have been identified and characterized in many plant species, genome-wide identification and characterization of WOX proteins in the Phaseolus vulgaris genome has been performed for the first time in this study. Accordingly, 18 WOX proteins were identified using bioinformatics tools and biochemical/physicochemical properties of these proteins were investigated. Phvul-WOX genes were found to be categorized into three major phylogenetic groups according to the phylogenetic analysis and a total of five segmental duplication events were detected after duplication analysis. Moreover, the Phvul-WOX genes were found to be expressed in different plant tissues at different levels and some stress-related miRNAs have been found to target the Phvul-WOX genes based on miRNA analysis. Additionaly, MDA content, total protein level and catalase enzyme activity analyses were conducted in two P. vulgaris cultivars namely Yakutiye cv. and Zulbiye cv. subjected to 150 mM salt stress. Next, these cultivars were used for screening the expression levels of Phvul-WOX-1, Phvul-WOX-9, Phvul-WOX-11, Phvul-WOX-15 and Phvul-WOX-16 genes in response to salt stress. The insights gained from this study may be of assistance to the researchers who work in this area. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01208-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simay Ezgi Akbulut
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Aybüke Okay
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Vaccine Technology, Vaccine Institute, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Taner Aksoy
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Plant Production, Ankara, Turkey
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Economics, Bursa, Turkey
| | - E. Sümer Aras
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İlker Büyük
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
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Shafique Khan F, Zeng RF, Gan ZM, Zhang JZ, Hu CG. Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of the WOX Gene Family in Citrus sinensis and Functional Analysis of a CsWUS Member. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4919. [PMID: 34066408 PMCID: PMC8124563 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factors (TFs) are well known for their role in plant development but are rarely studied in citrus. In this study, we identified 11 putative genes from the sweet orange genome and divided the citrus WOX genes into three clades (modern/WUSCHEL(WUS), intermediate, and ancient). Subsequently, we performed syntenic relationship, intron-exon organization, motif composition, and cis-element analysis. Co-expression analysis based on RNA-seq and tissue-specific expression patterns revealed that CsWOX gene expression has multiple intrinsic functions. CsWUS homolog of AtWUS functions as a transcriptional activator and binds to specific DNA. Overexpression of CsWUS in tobacco revealed dramatic phenotypic changes, including malformed leaves and reduced gynoecia with no seed development. Silencing of CsWUS in lemon using the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system implied the involvement of CsWUS in cells of the plant stem. In addition, CsWUS was found to interact with CsCYCD3, an ortholog in Arabidopsis (AtCYCD3,1). Yeast one-hybrid screening and dual luciferase activity revealed that two TFs (CsRAP2.12 and CsHB22) bind to the promoter of CsWUS and regulate its expression. Altogether, these results extend our knowledge of the WOX gene family along with CsWUS function and provide valuable findings for future study on development regulation and comprehensive data of WOX members in citrus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jin-Zhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (F.S.K.); (R.-F.Z.); (Z.-M.G.)
| | - Chun-Gen Hu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (F.S.K.); (R.-F.Z.); (Z.-M.G.)
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