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Wang Y, Yang L, Geng W, Cheng R, Zhang H, Zhou H. Genome-wide prediction and functional analysis of WOX genes in blueberry. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:434. [PMID: 38693497 PMCID: PMC11064388 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10356-5] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND WOX genes are a class of plant-specific transcription factors. The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) family is a member of the homeobox transcription factor superfamily. Previous studies have shown that WOX members play important roles in plant growth and development. However, studies of the WOX gene family in blueberry plants have not been reported. RESULTS In order to understand the biological function of the WOX gene family in blueberries, bioinformatics were used methods to identify WOX gene family members in the blueberry genome, and analyzed the basic physical and chemical properties, gene structure, gene motifs, promoter cis-acting elements, chromosome location, evolutionary relationships, expression pattern of these family members and predicted their functions. Finally, 12 genes containing the WOX domain were identified and found to be distributed on eight chromosomes. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the blueberry WOX gene family had three major branches: ancient branch, middle branch, and WUS branch. Blueberry WOX gene family protein sequences differ in amino acid number, molecular weight, isoelectric point and hydrophobicity. Predictive analysis of promoter cis-acting elements showed that the promoters of the VdWOX genes contained abundant light response, hormone, and stress response elements. The VdWOX genes were induced to express in both stems and leaves in response to salt and drought stress. CONCLUSIONS Our results provided comprehensive characteristics of the WOX gene family and important clues for further exploration of its role in the growth, development and resistance to various stress in blueberry plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwen Wang
- The Engineering Research Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Yang
- The Engineering Research Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China.
- Bestplant (Shandong) Stem Cell Engineering Co., Ltd, 300 Changjiang Road, Yantai, 264001, Shandong, China.
| | - Wenzhu Geng
- The Engineering Research Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China
| | - Rui Cheng
- The Engineering Research Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China
| | - Hongxia Zhang
- The Engineering Research Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China.
- Bestplant (Shandong) Stem Cell Engineering Co., Ltd, 300 Changjiang Road, Yantai, 264001, Shandong, China.
| | - Houjun Zhou
- The Engineering Research Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China.
- Bestplant (Shandong) Stem Cell Engineering Co., Ltd, 300 Changjiang Road, Yantai, 264001, Shandong, China.
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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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3
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Goher F, Bai X, Liu S, Pu L, Xi J, Lei J, Kang Z, Jin Q, Guo J. The Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase TaCDPK7 Positively Regulates Wheat Resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1048. [PMID: 38256123 PMCID: PMC10816280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021048] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Ca2+ plays a crucial role as a secondary messenger in plant development and response to abiotic/biotic stressors. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs/CPKs) are essential Ca2+ sensors that can convert Ca2+ signals into downstream phosphorylation signals. However, there is limited research on the function of CDPKs in the context of wheat-Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) interaction. In this study, we aimed to address this gap by identifying putative CDPK genes from the wheat reference genome and organizing them into four phylogenetic clusters (I-IV). To investigate the expression patterns of the TaCDPK family during the wheat-Pst interaction, we analyzed time series RNA-seq data and further validated the results through qRT-PCR assays. Among the TaCDPK genes, TaCDPK7 exhibited a significant induction during the wheat-Pst interaction, suggesting that it has a potential role in wheat resistance to Pst. To gain further insights into the function of TaCDPK7, we employed virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) to knock down its expression which resulted in impaired wheat resistance to Pst, accompanied by decreased accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), increased fungal biomass ratio, reduced expression of defense-related genes, and enhanced pathogen hyphal growth. These findings collectively suggest that TaCDPK7 plays an important role in wheat resistance to Pst. In summary, this study expands our understanding of wheat CDPKs and provides novel insights into their involvement in the wheat-Pst interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhan Goher
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (F.G.); (X.B.); (S.L.); (L.P.); (J.X.); (J.L.); (Z.K.)
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Xingxuan Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (F.G.); (X.B.); (S.L.); (L.P.); (J.X.); (J.L.); (Z.K.)
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (F.G.); (X.B.); (S.L.); (L.P.); (J.X.); (J.L.); (Z.K.)
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Lefan Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (F.G.); (X.B.); (S.L.); (L.P.); (J.X.); (J.L.); (Z.K.)
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Jiaojiao Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (F.G.); (X.B.); (S.L.); (L.P.); (J.X.); (J.L.); (Z.K.)
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Jiaqi Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (F.G.); (X.B.); (S.L.); (L.P.); (J.X.); (J.L.); (Z.K.)
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Zhensheng Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (F.G.); (X.B.); (S.L.); (L.P.); (J.X.); (J.L.); (Z.K.)
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Qiaojun Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (F.G.); (X.B.); (S.L.); (L.P.); (J.X.); (J.L.); (Z.K.)
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Jun Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (F.G.); (X.B.); (S.L.); (L.P.); (J.X.); (J.L.); (Z.K.)
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
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Zheng R, Peng Y, Chen J, Zhu X, Xie K, Ahmad S, Zhao K, Peng D, Liu ZJ, Zhou Y. The Genome-Level Survey of the WOX Gene Family in Melastoma dodecandrum Lour. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17349. [PMID: 38139178 PMCID: PMC10743900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417349] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Though conserved in higher plants, the WOX transcription factors play crucial roles in plant growth and development of Melastoma dodecandrum Lour., which shows pioneer position in land ecosystem formation and produces nutritional fruits. Identifying the WOX family genes in M. dodecandrum is imperative for elucidating its growth and development mechanisms. However, the WOX genes in M. dodecandrum have not yet been characterized. In this study, by identification 22 WOX genes in M. dodecandrum based on current genome data, we classified family genes into three clades and nine types with homeodomains. We highlighted gene duplications of MedWOX4, which offered evidences of whole-genome duplication events. Promoter analysis illustrated that cis-regulatory elements related to light and stress responses and plant growth were enriched. Expression pattern and RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the majority of WOX genes exhibited expression in the stem. MedWOX13s displayed highest expression across various tissues. MedWOX4s displayed a specific expression in the stem. Collectively, our study provided foundations for elucidating WOX gene functions and further molecular design breeding in M. dodecandrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyue Zheng
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Yukun Peng
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Jiemin Chen
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Xuanyi Zhu
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Kai Xie
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Sagheer Ahmad
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Kai Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China;
| | - Donghui Peng
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Zhong-Jian Liu
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Yuzhen Zhou
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
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5
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Khan FS, Goher F, Paulsmeyer MN, Hu CG, Zhang JZ. Calcium (Ca 2+ ) sensors and MYC2 are crucial players during jasmonates-mediated abiotic stress tolerance in plants. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2023; 25:1025-1034. [PMID: 37422725 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Plants evolve stress-specific responses that sense changes in their external environmental conditions and develop various mechanisms for acclimatization and survival. Calcium (Ca2+ ) is an essential stress-sensing secondary messenger in plants. Ca2+ sensors, including calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs), calmodulins (CaMs), CaM-like proteins (CMLs), and calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs), are involved in jasmonates (JAs) signalling and biosynthesis. Moreover, JAs are phospholipid-derived phytohormones that control plant response to abiotic stresses. The JAs signalling pathway affects hormone-receptor gene transcription by binding to the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor. MYC2 acts as a master regulator of JAs signalling module assimilated through various genes. The Ca2+ sensor CML regulates MYC2 and is involved in a distinct mechanism mediating JAs signalling during abiotic stresses. This review highlights the pivotal role of the Ca2+ sensors in JAs biosynthesis and MYC2-mediated JAs signalling during abiotic stresses in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- F S Khan
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - F Goher
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - M N Paulsmeyer
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - C-G Hu
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - J-Z Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Zhang Y, Xu J, Li R, Ge Y, Li Y, Li R. Plants' Response to Abiotic Stress: Mechanisms and Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10915. [PMID: 37446089 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Abiotic stress is the adverse effect of any abiotic factor on a plant in a given environment, impacting plants' growth and development. These stress factors, such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures, are often interrelated or in conjunction with each other. Plants have evolved mechanisms to sense these environmental challenges and make adjustments to their growth in order to survive and reproduce. In this review, we summarized recent studies on plant stress sensing and its regulatory mechanism, emphasizing signal transduction and regulation at multiple levels. Then we presented several strategies to improve plant growth under stress based on current progress. Finally, we discussed the implications of research on plant response to abiotic stresses for high-yielding crops and agricultural sustainability. Studying stress signaling and regulation is critical to understand abiotic stress responses in plants to generate stress-resistant crops and improve agricultural sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Institute of Tree Development and Genome Editing, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Institute of Tree Development and Genome Editing, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ruofan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Institute of Tree Development and Genome Editing, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yanrui Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Institute of Tree Development and Genome Editing, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yufei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Institute of Tree Development and Genome Editing, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ruili Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- The Tree and Ornamental Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Institute of Tree Development and Genome Editing, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
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Ye LX, Wu YM, Zhang JX, Zhang JX, Zhou H, Zeng RF, Zheng WX, Qiu MQ, Zhou JJ, Xie ZZ, Hu CG, Zhang JZ. A bZIP transcription factor (CiFD) regulates drought- and low-temperature-induced flowering by alternative splicing in citrus. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 65:674-691. [PMID: 36250511 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Drought and low temperature are two key environmental factors that induce adult citrus flowering. However, the underlying regulation mechanism is poorly understood. The bZIP transcription factor FD is a key component of the florigen activation complex (FAC) which is composed of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), FD, and 14-3-3 proteins. In this study, isolation and characterization of CiFD in citrus found that there was alternative splicing (AS) of CiFD, forming two different proteins (CiFDα and CiFDβ). Further investigation found that their expression patterns were similar in different tissues of citrus, but the subcellular localization and transcriptional activity were different. Overexpression of the CiFD DNA sequence (CiFD-DNA), CiFDα, or CiFDβ in tobacco and citrus showed early flowering, and CiFD-DNA transgenic plants were the earliest, followed by CiFDβ and CiFDα. Interestingly, CiFDα and CiFDβ were induced by low temperature and drought, respectively. Further analysis showed that CiFDα can form a FAC complex with CiFT, Ci14-3-3, and then bind to the citrus APETALA1 (CiAP1) promoter and promote its expression. However, CiFDβ can directly bind to the CiAP1 promoter independently of CiFT and Ci14-3-3. These results showed that CiFDβ can form a more direct and simplified pathway that is independent of the FAC complex to regulate drought-induced flowering through AS. In addition, a bHLH transcription factor (CibHLH96) binds to CiFD promoter and promotes the expression of CiFD under drought condition. Transgenic analysis found that CibHLH96 can promote flowering in transgenic tobacco. These results suggest that CiFD is involved in drought- and low-temperature-induced citrus flowering through different regulatory patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Xia Ye
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Institute of Fruit and Tea, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430064, China
| | - Yan-Mei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jin-Xia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jin-Xin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Huan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Ren-Fang Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Wei-Xuan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Mei-Qi Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jing-Jing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zong-Zhou Xie
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chun-Gen Hu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jin-Zhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
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Khan FS, Goher F, Zhang D, Shi P, Li Z, Htwe YM, Wang Y. Is CRISPR/Cas9 a way forward to fast-track genetic improvement in commercial palms? Prospects and limits. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1042828. [PMID: 36578341 PMCID: PMC9791139 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1042828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Commercially important palms (oil palm, coconut, and date palm) are widely grown perennial trees with tremendous commercial significance due to food, edible oil, and industrial applications. The mounting pressure on the human population further reinforces palms' importance, as they are essential crops to meet vegetable oil needs around the globe. Various conventional breeding methods are used for the genetic improvement of palms. However, adopting new technologies is crucial to accelerate breeding and satisfy the expanding population's demands. CRISPR/Cas9 is an efficient genome editing tool that can incorporate desired traits into the existing DNA of the plant without losing common traits. Recent progress in genome editing in oil palm, coconut and date palm are preliminarily introduced to potential readers. Furthermore, detailed information on available CRISPR-based genome editing and genetic transformation methods are summarized for researchers. We shed light on the possibilities of genome editing in palm crops, especially on the modification of fatty acid biosynthesis in oil palm. Moreover, the limitations in genome editing, including inadequate target gene screening due to genome complexities and low efficiency of genetic transformation, are also highlighted. The prospects of CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing in commercial palms to improve sustainable production are also addressed in this review paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Shafique Khan
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
| | - Farhan Goher
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dapeng Zhang
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
| | - Peng Shi
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
| | - Zhiying Li
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
| | - Yin Min Htwe
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Biosafety Monitoring and Molecular Breeding in Off-Season Reproduction Regions/Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, China
- Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Oil Crops Biology, Coconut Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Wenchang, Hainan, China
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Yu Y, Yang M, Liu X, Xia Y, Hu R, Xia Q, Jing D, Guo Q. Genome-wide analysis of the WOX gene family and the role of EjWUSa in regulating flowering in loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1024515. [PMID: 36407616 PMCID: PMC9669421 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1024515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The WUSCHEL (WUS)-related homeobox (WOX) gene family plays a crucial role in stem cell maintenance, apical meristem formation, embryonic development, and various other developmental processes. However, the identification and function of WOX genes have not been reported in perennial loquat. In this study, 18 EjWOX genes were identified in the loquat genome. Chromosomal localization analysis showed that 18 EjWOX genes were located on 12 of 17 chromosomes. Gene structure analysis showed that all EjWOX genes contain introns, of which 11 EjWOX genes contain untranslated regions. There are 8 pairs of segmental duplication genes and 0 pairs of tandem duplication genes in the loquat WOX family, suggesting that segmental duplications might be the main reason for the expansion of the loquat WOX family. A WOX transcription factor gene named EjWUSa was isolated from loquat. The EjWUSa protein was localized in the nucleus. Protein interactions between EjWUSa with EjWUSa and EjSTM were verified. Compared with wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana, the 35S::EjWUSa transgenic Arabidopsis showed early flowering. Our study provides an important basis for further research on the function of EjWOX genes and facilitates the molecular breeding of loquat early-flowering varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhui Yu
- Key Laboratory of Horticulture Science for Southern Mountains Regions of Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Miaomiao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Horticulture Science for Southern Mountains Regions of Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinya Liu
- Key Laboratory of Horticulture Science for Southern Mountains Regions of Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Xia
- Key Laboratory of Horticulture Science for Southern Mountains Regions of Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruoqian Hu
- Key Laboratory of Horticulture Science for Southern Mountains Regions of Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingqing Xia
- Key Laboratory of Horticulture Science for Southern Mountains Regions of Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Danlong Jing
- Key Laboratory of Horticulture Science for Southern Mountains Regions of Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qigao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Horticulture Science for Southern Mountains Regions of Ministry of Education, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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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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Khan FS, Gan ZM, Li EQ, Ren MK, Hu CG, Zhang JZ. Transcriptomic and physiological analysis reveals interplay between salicylic acid and drought stress in citrus tree floral initiation. PLANTA 2021; 255:24. [PMID: 34928452 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-021-03801-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Salicylic acid (SA) and drought stress promote more flowering in sweet orange. The physiological response and molecular mechanism underlying stress-induced floral initiation were discovered by transcriptome profiling. Numerous flowering-regulated genes were identified, and ectopically expressed CsLIP2A promotes early flowering in Arabidopsis. Floral initiation is a critical developmental mechanism associated with external factors, and citrus flowering is mainly regulated by drought stress. However, little is known about the intricate regulatory network involved in stress-induced flowering in citrus. To understand the molecular mechanism of floral initiation in citrus, flower induction was performed on potted Citrus sinensis trees under the combined treatment of salicylic acid (SA) and drought (DR). Physiological analysis revealed that SA treatment significantly normalized the drastic effect of drought stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, and CAT), relative leaf water content, total chlorophyll, and proline contents and promoting more flowering than drought treatment. Analysis of transcriptome changes in leaves from different treatments showed that 1135, 2728 and 957 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were revealed in response to DR, SD (SA + DR), and SA (SA + well water) treatments in comparison with the well watered plants, respectively. A total of 2415, 2318 and 1933 DEGs were expressed in DR, SD, and SA in comparison with water recovery, respectively. Some key flowering genes were more highly expressed in SA-treated drought plants than in DR-treated plants. GO enrichment revealed that SA treatment enhances the regulation and growth of meristem activity under drought conditions, but no such a pathway was found to be highly enriched in the control. Furthermore, we focused on various hormones, sugars, starch metabolism, and biosynthesis-related genes. The KEGG analysis demonstrated that DEGs enriched in starch sucrose metabolism and hormonal signal transduction pathways probably account for stress-induced floral initiation in citrus. In addition, a citrus LIPOYLTRANSFERSAE 2A homologous (LIP2A) gene was upregulated by SD treatment. Ectopic expression of CsLIP2A exhibited early flowering in transgenic Arabidopsis. Taken together, this study provides new insight that contributes to citrus tree floral initiation under the SA-drought scenario as well as an excellent reference for stress-induced floral initiation in woody trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Shafique Khan
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhi-Meng Gan
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - En-Qing Li
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Meng-Ke Ren
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chun-Gen Hu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Jin-Zhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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Feng C, Zou S, Gao P, Wang Z. In silico identification, characterization expression profile of WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox (WOX) gene family in two species of kiwifruit. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12348. [PMID: 34760371 PMCID: PMC8557698 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The WUSCHEL (WUS)-related homeobox (WOX) gene family is a class of plant-specific transcriptional factors and plays a crucial role in forming the shoot apical meristem and embryonic development, stem cell maintenance, and various other developmental processes. However, systematic identification and characterization of the kiwifruit WOX gene family have not been studied. This study identified 17 and 10 WOX genes in A. chinensis (Ac) and A. eriantha (Ae) genomes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis classified kiwifruit WOX genes from two species into three clades. Analysis of phylogenetics, synteny patterns, and selection pressure inferred that WOX gene families in Ac and Ae had undergone different evolutionary patterns after whole-genome duplication (WGD) events, causing differences in WOX gene number and distribution. Ten conserved motifs were identified in the kiwifruit WOX genes, and motif architectures of WOXs belonging to different clades highly diverged. The cis-element analysis and expression profiles investigation indicated the functional differentiation of WOX genes and identified the potential WOXs in response to stresses. Our results provided insight into general characters, evolutionary patterns, and functional diversity of kiwifruit WOXs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Feng
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, China
| | - Shuaiyu Zou
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, China
| | - Puxin Gao
- Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiujiang, China
| | - Zupeng Wang
- Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Engineering Laboratory for Kiwifruit Industrial Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Engineering Laboratory for Kiwifruit Industrial Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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