scholarly journals Genome-wide analysis of the WRKY gene family and its response to abiotic stress in buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum)

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xia He ◽  
Jing-jian Li ◽  
Yuan Chen ◽  
Jia-qi Yang ◽  
Xiao-yang Chen

AbstractThe WRKY gene family is an ancient plant transcription factor (TF) family with a vital role in plant growth and development, especially in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Although many researchers have studied WRKY TFs in numerous plant species, little is known of them in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum). Based on the recently reported genome sequence of Tartary buckwheat, we identified 78 FtWRKY proteins that could be classified into three major groups. All 77 WRKY genes were distributed unevenly across all eight chromosomes. Exon–intron analysis and motif composition prediction revealed the complexity and diversity of FtWRKYs, indicating that WRKY TFs may be of significance in plant growth regulation and stress response. Two separate pairs of tandem duplication genes were found, but no segmental duplications were identified. Overall, most orthologous gene-pairs between Tartary and common buckwheat evolved under strong purifying selection. qRT-PCR was used to analyze differences in expression among four FtWRKYs (FtWRKY6, 74, 31, and 7) under salt, drought, cold, and heat treatments. The results revealed that all four proteins are related to abiotic stress responses, although they exhibited various expression patterns. In particular, the relative expression levels of FtWRKY6, 74, and 31 were significantly upregulated under salt stress, while the highest expression of FtWRKY7 was observed from heat treatment. This study provides comprehensive insights into the WRKY gene family in Tartary buckwheat, and can support the screening of additional candidate genes for further functional characterization of WRKYs under various stresses.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 6594
Author(s):  
Shuting Zhang ◽  
Qin Zhou ◽  
Feng Chen ◽  
Lan Wu ◽  
Baojun Liu ◽  
...  

The plant-specific TCP transcription factors are well-characterized in both monocots and dicots, which have been implicated in multiple aspects of plant biological processes such as leaf morphogenesis and senescence, lateral branching, flower development and hormone crosstalk. However, no systematic analysis of the petunia TCP gene family has been described. In this work, a total of 66 petunia TCP genes (32 PaTCP genes in P. axillaris and 34 PiTCP genes in P. inflata) were identified. Subsequently, a systematic analysis of 32 PaTCP genes was performed. The phylogenetic analysis combined with structural analysis clearly distinguished the 32 PaTCP proteins into two classes—class Ι and class Ⅱ. Class Ⅱ was further divided into two subclades, namely, the CIN-TCP subclade and the CYC/TB1 subclade. Plenty of cis-acting elements responsible for plant growth and development, phytohormone and/or stress responses were identified in the promoter of PaTCPs. Distinct spatial expression patterns were determined among PaTCP genes, suggesting that these genes may have diverse regulatory roles in plant growth development. Furthermore, differential temporal expression patterns were observed between the large- and small-flowered petunia lines for most PaTCP genes, suggesting that these genes are likely to be related to petal development and/or petal size in petunia. The spatiotemporal expression profiles and promoter analysis of PaTCPs indicated that these genes play important roles in petunia diverse developmental processes that may work via multiple hormone pathways. Moreover, three PaTCP-YFP fusion proteins were detected in nuclei through subcellular localization analysis. This is the first comprehensive analysis of the petunia TCP gene family on a genome-wide scale, which provides the basis for further functional characterization of this gene family in petunia.


BMC Genomics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengyuan Wei ◽  
Aili Liu ◽  
Yujuan Zhang ◽  
Yong Zhou ◽  
Donghua Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) gene family is one of the plant-specific transcription factor families, involved in plant development, growth, and in the response to diverse stresses. However, comprehensive analysis of the HD-Zip genes, especially those involved in response to drought and salinity stresses is lacking in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an important oil crop in tropical and subtropical areas. Results In this study, 45 HD-Zip genes were identified in sesame, and denominated as SiHDZ01-SiHDZ45. Members of SiHDZ family were classified into four groups (HD-Zip I-IV) based on the phylogenetic relationship of Arabidopsis HD-Zip proteins, which was further supported by the analysis of their conserved motifs and gene structures. Expression analyses of SiHDZ genes based on transcriptome data showed that the expression patterns of these genes were varied in different tissues. Additionally, we showed that at least 75% of the SiHDZ genes were differentially expressed in responses to drought and salinity treatments, and highlighted the important role of HD-Zip I and II genes in stress responses in sesame. Conclusions This study provides important information for functional characterization of stress-responsive HD-Zip genes and may contribute to the better understanding of the molecular basis of stress tolerance in sesame.


BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kangfeng Cai ◽  
Fanrong Zeng ◽  
Junmei Wang ◽  
Guoping Zhang

Abstract Background HAK/KUP/KT (High-affinity K+ transporters/K+ uptake permeases/K+ transporters) is the largest potassium transporter family in plants, and plays pivotal roles in K+ uptake and transport, as well as biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, our understanding of the gene family in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is quite limited. Results In the present study, we identified 27 barley HAK/KUP/KT genes (hereafter called HvHAKs) through a genome-wide analysis. These HvHAKs were unevenly distributed on seven chromosomes, and could be phylogenetically classified into four clusters. All HvHAK protein sequences possessed the conserved motifs and domains. However, the substantial difference existed among HAK members in cis-acting elements and tissue expression patterns. Wheat had the most orthologous genes to barley HAKs, followed by Brachypodium distachyon, rice and maize. In addition, six barley HAK genes were selected to investigate their expression profiling in response to three abiotic stresses by qRT-PCR, and their expression levels were all up-regulated under salt, hyperosmotic and potassium deficiency treatments. Conclusion Twenty seven HAK genes (HvHAKs) were identified in barley, and they differ in tissue expression patterns and responses to salt stress, drought stress and potassium deficiency.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehman Sarwar ◽  
Ting Jiang ◽  
Peng Ding ◽  
Yue Gao ◽  
Xiaoli Tan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Brassica napus is an essential crop for oil and livestock feed. Eventually, this crop's economic interest is at the most risk due to anthropogenic climate change. DELLA proteins constitute a significant repressor of plant growth to facilitate survival under constant stress conditions. DELLA proteins lack DNA binding domain but can interact with various transcription factors or transcription regulators of different hormonal families. Significant progress has been made on Arabidopsis and cereal plants. However, no comprehensive study regarding DELLA proteins has been delineated in rapeseed. Results In our study, we have identified 10 BnaDELLA genes. All of the BnaDELLA genes are closely related to five AtDELLA genes, suggesting a relative function and structure. Gene duplication and synteny relationship among Brassica. napus, Arabidopsis. thaliana, Brassica rapa, Brassica oleracea, and Brassica nigra genomes were also predicted to provide valuable insights into the BnaDELLA gene family evolutionary characteristics. Chromosomal mapping revealed the uneven distribution of BnaDELLA genes on eight chromosomes, and site-specific selection assessment proposes BnaDELLA genes purifying selection. The motifs composition in all BnaDELLA genes is inconsistent; however, every BnaDELLA gene contains 12 highly conserved motifs, encoding DELLA and GRAS domains. The two known miRNAs (bna-miR6029 and bna-miR603) targets BnaC07RGA and BnaA09GAI, were also predicted. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis has exhibited the BnaDELLA genes diverse expression patterns in the root, mature-silique, leaf, flower, flower-bud, stem, shoot-apex, and seed. Additionally, cis-acting element prediction shows that all BnaDELLA genes contain light, stress, and hormone-responsive elements on their promoters. The gene ontology (GO) enrichment report indicated that the BnaDELLA gene family might regulate stress responses. Combine with transcriptomic data used in this study, we detected the distinct expression patterns of BnaDELLA genes under biotic and abiotic stresses. Conclusion In this study, we investigate evolution feature, genomic structure, miRNAs targets, and expression pattern of the BnaDELLA gene family in B. napus, which enrich our understanding of BnaDELLA genes in B. napus and suggests modulating individual BnaDELLA expression is a promising way to intensify rapeseed stress tolerance and harvest index.


Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bao ◽  
Ding ◽  
Cheng ◽  
Wang ◽  
Zhang

Prunus mume, which is a rosaceous arbor with very high ornamental, edible and medical values, has a distribution that is mainly restricted by low temperature. WRKY transcription factor genes play crucial roles in the growth, development, and stress responses of plants. However, the WRKY gene family has not been characterised in P. mume. There were 58 PmWRKYs identified from genome of P. mume. They were anchored onto eight link groups and categorised into three broad groups. The gene structure and motif composition were reasonably conservative in each group. Investigation of gene duplication indicated that nine and seven PmWRKYs were arranged in tandem and segmental duplications, respectively. PmWRKYs were discriminately expressed in different tissues (i.e., roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits) in P. mume. The 17 cold-related candidate genes were selected based on RNA-seq data. Further, to investigate the function of PmWRKYs in low temperatures, the expression patterns under artificial cold treatments were analysed. The results showed that the expression levels of the 12 PmWRKYs genes significantly and 5 genes slightly changed in stems. In particular, the expression level of PmWRKY18 was up-regulated after ABA treatment. In addition, the spatiotemporal expression patterns of 17 PmWRKYs were analysed in winter. These results indicated that 17 PmWRKYs were potential transcription factors regulating cold resistance in P. mume.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingping Yuan ◽  
Changwei Shen ◽  
Jingjing Xin ◽  
Zhenxia Li ◽  
Xinzheng Li ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundPlant specific YABBY transcription factors have important biological roles in plant growth and abiotic stress. However, the identification of Cucurbita Linn. YABBY and their response to salt stress have not yet been reported. The gene number, gene distribution on chromosome, gene structure, protein conserved structure, protein motif and the cis-acting element of YABBY in three cultivars of Cucurbita Linn. were analyzed by bioinformatics tools, and their tissue expression patterns and expression profile under salt stress were analyzed.ResultsIn this study, 34 YABBY genes (11 CmoYABBYs in Cucurbita moschata, 12 CmaYABBYs in Cucurbita maxima, and 11 CpeYABBYs in Cucurbita pepo) were identified and they were divided into five subfamilies (YAB1/YAB3, YAB2, INO, CRC and YAB5). YABBYs in the same subfamily usually have similar gene structures (intron-exon distribution) and conserved domains. Chromosomal localization analysis showed that these CmoYABBYs, CmaYABBYs, and CpeYABBYs were unevenly distributed in 8, 9, and 9 chromosomes of 21 chromosomes, respectively. Total of 6 duplicated gene pairs, and they all experienced segmental duplication events. Cis-acting element analysis showed that some Cucurbita Linn. YABBYs were associated with at least one of plant hormone response, plant growth, and abiotic stress response. Transcriptional profiles of CmoYABBYs and CmaYABBYs in roots, stems, leaves, and fruits, and CpeYABBYs in seed and fruit mesocarp showed that YABBYs of Cucurbita Linn. had tissue specificity. Finally, the transcriptional profile of 11 CmoYABBYs in leaf and qRT-PCR analysis of CmoYABBYs in root under salt stress indicated that some genes may play an important role in salt stress.ConclusionsGenome-wide identification and expression analysis of YABBYs revealed the characteristics of YABBY gene family in three cultivars of Cucurbita Linn.. Transcriptome and qRT-PCR analysis revealed the response of the CmoYABBYs to salt stress.This provides a theoretical basis for the functional research and utilization of YABBY genes in Cucurbita Linn..


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankita Yadav ◽  
Sanoj Kumar ◽  
Rita Verma ◽  
Shashi Pandey Rai ◽  
Charu Lata ◽  
...  

Abstract Legumes are an indispensable food after cereals with extensive production across the world. The legume production is imposed with limitations and has been augmented by various environmental stresses. The symbiotic relations between legumes and rhizobacteria have been an intriguing topic of research in view of their roles in plant growth, development and various stress responses. Recent advances on gene networks involving plethora of evolutionarily conserved miRNAs have been investigated pertaining to their roles in plant stress responses. The interaction between plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strain Pseudomonas putida RA, MTCC5279 and abiotic stress responsive miRNAs have previously been studied with roles in abiotic stress mitigation by modulating stress responsive miRNAs and their target genes. The present studyis an investigation involving the role of RA in abiotic stress responsive miR166h for drought mitigation in tolerant desi chickpea genotype. miRNA166 directed cleavage of its target, ATHB15 has been drifted of drought treated plantlets upon RA inoculation using 5´RLM-RACE analysis. Drought stressed chickpea plants when inoculated with growth promoting rhizobacteria, RA, the inverse correlation in expression patterns were noticed in miR166h and its validated target, ATHB15. Tissue-specific expression patterns in 15 days old chickpea seedlings including leaves, shoot and roots when exposed to salinity, drought and abscisic acid at different time points indicated the role of miR166 in different abiotic stress response. In view of the results, validation and functional characterization of such interactions involving stress responsive miRNAs along with microbial stress management techniques could be an important technique for crop improvement.


PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongbin Wang ◽  
Zhenfeng Jiang ◽  
Zhenxiang Li ◽  
Yuanling Zhao ◽  
Weiwei Tan ◽  
...  

Background VQ proteins, the plant-specific transcription factors, are involved in plant development and multiple stresses; however, only few articles systematic reported the VQ genes in soybean. Methods In total, we identified 75 GmVQ genes, which were classified into 7 groups (I-VII). Conserved domain analysis indicated that VQ gene family members all contain the VQ domains. VQ genes from the same evolutionary branches of soybean shared similar motifs and structures. Promoter analysis revealed that cis-elements related to stress responses, phytohormone responses and controlling physical as well as reproductive growth. Based on the RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analysis, GmVQ genes were showed expressing in nine tissues, suggesting their putative function in many aspects of plant growth and development as well as response to stress in Glycine max. Results This study aims to understand the roles of VQ genes in various development processes and their expression patterns in responses to stimuli. Our results provide basic information in identification and classification of GmVQ genes. Further experimental analysis will allows us to know the functions of GmVQs participation in plant growth and stress responses.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanhui Liu ◽  
Mengnan Chai ◽  
Man Zhang ◽  
Qing He ◽  
Zhenxia Su ◽  
...  

This study identified 57 basic leucine zipper (bZIP) genes from the pineapple genome, and the analysis of these bZIP genes was focused on the evolution and divergence after multiple duplication events in relation to the pineapple genome fusion. According to bioinformatics analysis of a phylogenetic tree, the bZIP gene family was divided into 11 subgroups in pineapple, Arabidopsis, and rice; gene structure and conserved motif analyses showed that bZIP genes within the same subgroup shared similar intron-exon organizations and motif composition. Further synteny analysis showed 17 segmental duplication events with 27 bZIP genes. The study also analyzed the pineapple gene expression of bZIP genes in different tissues, organs, and developmental stages, as well as in abiotic stress responses. The RNA-sequencing data showed that AcobZIP57 was upregulated in all tissues, including vegetative and reproductive tissues. AcobZIP28 and AcobZIP43 together with the other 25 bZIP genes did not show high expression levels in any tissue. Six bZIP genes were exposed to abiotic stress, and the relative expression levels were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. A significant response was observed for AcobZIP24 against all kinds of abiotic stresses at 24 and 48 h in pineapple root tissues. Our study provides a perspective for the evolutionary history and general biological involvement of the bZIP gene family of pineapple, which laid the foundation for future functional characterization of the bZIP genes in pineapple.


BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shutao He ◽  
Xiaomeng Hao ◽  
Shuli He ◽  
Xiaoge Hao ◽  
Xiaonan Chen

Abstract Background In recent years, much attention has been given to AP2/ERF transcription factors because they play indispensable roles in many biological processes, such as plant development and biotic and abiotic stress responses. Although AP2/ERFs have been thoroughly characterised in many plant species, the knowledge about this family in the sweet potato, which is a vital edible and medicinal crop, is still limited. In this study, a comprehensive genome-wide investigation was conducted to characterise the AP2/ERF gene family in the sweet potato. Results Here, 198 IbAP2/ERF transcription factors were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis classified the members of the IbAP2/ERF family into three groups, namely, ERF (172 members), AP2 (21 members) and RAV (5 members), which was consistent with the analysis of gene structure and conserved protein domains. The evolutionary characteristics of these IbAP2/ERF genes were systematically investigated by analysing chromosome location, conserved protein motifs and gene duplication events, indicating that the expansion of the IbAP2/ERF gene family may have been caused by tandem duplication. Furthermore, the analysis of cis-acting elements in IbAP2/ERF gene promoters implied that these genes may play crucial roles in plant growth, development and stress responses. Additionally, the available RNA-seq data and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to investigate the expression patterns of IbAP2/ERF genes during sweet potato root development as well as under multiple forms of abiotic stress, and we identified several developmental stage-specific and stress-responsive IbAP2/ERF genes. Furthermore, g59127 was differentially expressed under various stress conditions and was identified as a nuclear protein, which was in line with predicted subcellular localization results. Conclusions This study originally revealed the characteristics of the IbAP2/ERF superfamily and provides valuable resources for further evolutionary and functional investigations of IbAP2/ERF genes in the sweet potato.


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