scholarly journals Genome-wide identification of RING finger genes in flax (Linum usitatissimum) and analyses of their evolution

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12491
Author(s):  
Xianwen Meng ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
Mingde Zhao

Background Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is an important crop for its seed oil and stem fiber. Really Interesting New Gene (RING) finger genes play essential roles in growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress responses in plants. However, little is known about these genes in flax. Methods Here, we performed a systematic genome-wide analysis to identify RING finger genes in flax. Results We identified 587 RING domains in 574 proteins and classified them into RING-H2 (292), RING-HCa (181), RING-HCb (23), RING-v (53), RING-C2 (31), RING-D (2), RING-S/T (3), and RING-G (2). These proteins were further divided into 45 groups according to domain organization. These genes were located in 15 chromosomes and clustered into three clades according to their phylogenetic relationships. A total of 312 segmental duplicated gene pairs were inferred from 411 RING finger genes, indicating a major contribution of segmental duplications to the RING finger gene family expansion. The non-synonymous/synonymous substitution ratio of the segmentally duplicated gene pairs was less than 1, suggesting that the gene family was under negative selection since duplication. Further, most RING genes in flax were differentially expressed during seed development or in the shoot apex. This study provides useful information for further functional analysis of RING finger genes in flax and to develop gene-derived molecular markers in flax breeding.

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Fan ◽  
Xiaobao Wei ◽  
Dili Lai ◽  
Hao Yang ◽  
Liang Feng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background GRAS transcription factors perform indispensable functions in various biological processes, such as plant growth, fruit development, and biotic and abiotic stress responses. The development of whole-genome sequencing has allowed the GRAS gene family to be identified and characterized in many species. However, thorough in-depth identification or systematic analysis of GRAS family genes in foxtail millet has not been conducted. Results In this study, 57 GRAS genes of foxtail millet (SiGRASs) were identified and renamed according to the chromosomal distribution of the SiGRAS genes. Based on the number of conserved domains and gene structure, the SiGRAS genes were divided into 13 subfamilies via phylogenetic tree analysis. The GRAS genes were unevenly distributed on nine chromosomes, and members of the same subfamily had similar gene structures and motif compositions. Genetic structure analysis showed that most SiGRAS genes lacked introns. Some SiGRAS genes were derived from gene duplication events, and segmental duplications may have contributed more to GRAS gene family expansion than tandem duplications. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed significant differences in the expression of SiGRAS genes in different tissues and stages of fruits development, which indicated the complexity of the physiological functions of SiGRAS. In addition, exogenous paclobutrazol treatment significantly altered the transcription levels of DELLA subfamily members, downregulated the gibberellin content, and decreased the plant height of foxtail millet, while it increased the fruit weight. In addition, SiGRAS13 and SiGRAS25 may have the potential for genetic improvement and functional gene research in foxtail millet. Conclusions Collectively, this study will be helpful for further analysing the biological function of SiGRAS. Our results may contribute to improving the genetic breeding of foxtail millet.


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.


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9225
Author(s):  
Yaoyao Jiang ◽  
Haichao Hu ◽  
Yuhua Ma ◽  
Junliang Zhou

Background The fibrillin (FBN) gene family is highly conserved and widely distributed in the photosynthetic organs of plants. Members of this gene family are involved in the growth and development of plants and their response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Wheat (Triticum aestivum), an important food crop, has a complex genetic background and little progress has occurred in the understanding of its molecular mechanisms. Methods In this study, we identified 26 FBN genes in the whole genome of T. aestivum through bioinformatic tools and biotechnological means. These genes were divided into 11 subgroups and were distributed on 11 chromosomes of T. aestivum. Interestingly, most of the TaFBN genes were located on the chromosomes 2A, 2B and 2D. The gene structure of each subgroup of gene family members and the position and number of motifs were highly similar. Results The evolutionary analysis results indicated that the affinities of FBNs in monocots were closer together. The tissue-specific analysis revealed that TaFBN genes were expressed in different tissues and developmental stages. In addition, some TaFBNs were involved in one or more biotic and abiotic stress responses. These results provide a basis for further study of the biological function of FBNs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Wang ◽  
Ming-Hua Wu ◽  
Dong Xiao ◽  
Ruo-Lan Huang ◽  
Jie Zhan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background As an important cash crop, the yield of peanut is influenced by soil acidification and pathogen infection. Receptor-like protein kinases play important roles in plant growth, development and stress responses. However, little is known about the number, location, structure, molecular phylogeny, and expression of RLKs in peanut, and no comprehensive analysis of RLKs in the Al stress response in peanuts have been reported. Results A total of 1311 AhRLKs were identified from the peanut genome. The AhLRR-RLKs and AhLecRLKs were further divided into 24 and 35 subfamilies, respectively. The AhRLKs were randomly distributed across all 20 chromosomes in the peanut. Among these AhRLKs, 9.53% and 61.78% originated from tandem duplications and segmental duplications, respectively. The ka/ks ratios of 96.97% (96/99) of tandem duplication gene pairs and 98.78% (646/654) of segmental duplication gene pairs were less than 1. Among the tested tandem duplication clusters, there were 28 gene conversion events. Moreover, all total of 90 Al-responsive AhRLKs were identified by mining transcriptome data, and they were divided into 7 groups. Most of the Al-responsive AhRLKs that clustered together had similar motifs and evolutionarily conserved structures. The gene expression patterns of these genes in different tissues were further analysed, and tissue-specifically expressed genes, including 14 root-specific Al-responsive AhRLKs were found. In addition, all 90 Al-responsive AhRLKs which were distributed unevenly in the subfamilies of AhRLKs, showed different expression patterns between the two peanut varieties (Al-sensitive and Al-tolerant) under Al stress. Conclusions In this study, we analysed the RLK gene family in the peanut genome. Segmental duplication events were the main driving force for AhRLK evolution, and most AhRLKs subject to purifying selection. A total of 90 genes were identified as Al-responsive AhRLKs, and the classification, conserved motifs, structures, tissue expression patterns and predicted functions of Al-responsive AhRLKs were further analysed and discussed, revealing their putative roles. This study provides a better understanding of the structures and functions of AhRLKs and Al-responsive AhRLKs.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1154
Author(s):  
Hongjia Zhang ◽  
Seong-Gyu Jang ◽  
San Mar Lar ◽  
Ah-Rim Lee ◽  
Fang-Yuan Cao ◽  
...  

Starch is a major ingredient in rice, and the amylose content of starch significantly impacts rice quality. OsSS (starch synthase) is a gene family related to the synthesis of amylose and amylopectin, and 10 members have been reported. In the present study, a synteny analysis of a novel family member belonging to the OsSSIV subfamily that contained a starch synthase catalytic domain showed that three segmental duplications and multiple duplications were identified in rice and other species. Expression data showed that the OsSS gene family is involved in diverse expression patterns. The prediction of miRNA targets suggested that OsSS are possibly widely regulated by miRNA functions, with miR156s targeted to OsSSII-3, especially. Haplotype analysis exhibited the relationship between amylose content and diverse genotypes. These results give new insight and a theoretical basis for the improved amylose content and eating quality of rice.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12617
Author(s):  
Yarui Wei ◽  
Shuliang Zhao ◽  
Na Liu ◽  
Yuxing Zhang

The NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES 1 (NPR1) plays a master regulatory role in the salicylic acid (SA) signal transduction pathway and plant systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Members of the NPR1-like gene family have been reported to the associated with biotic/abiotic stress in many plants, however the genome-wide characterization of NPR1-like genes has not been carried out in Chinese pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Reld). In this study, a systematic analysis was conducted on the characteristics of the NPR1-like genes in P. bretschneideri Reld at the whole-genome level. A total nine NPR1-like genes were detected which eight genes were located on six chromosomes and one gene was mapped to scaffold. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the nine PbrNPR1-like proteins were divided into three clades (Clades I–III) had similar gene structure, domain and conserved motifs. We sorted the cis-acting elements into three clades, including plant growth and development, stress responses, and hormone responses in the promoter regions of PbrNPR1-like genes. The result of qPCR analysis showed that expression diversity of PbrNPR1-like genes in various tissues. All the genes were up-regulated after SA treatment in leaves except for Pbrgene8896. PbrNPR1-like genes showed circadian rhythm and significantly different expression levels after inoculation with Alternaria alternata. These findings provide a solid insight for understanding the functions and evolution of PbrNPR1-like genes in Chinese pear.


2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 614
Author(s):  
Weiqi Sun ◽  
Mengdi Li ◽  
Jianbo Wang

Brassica napus and its diploid progenitors (B. rapa and B. oleracea) are suitable for studying the problems associated with polyploidization. As an important anti-stress protein, RCI2 proteins widely exist in various tissues of plants, and are crucial to plant growth, development, and stress response. In this study, the RCI2 gene family was comprehensively identified and analyzed, and 9, 9, and 24 RCI2 genes were identified in B. rapa, B. oleracea, and B. napus, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all of the identified RCI2 genes were divided into two groups, and further divided into three subgroups. Ka/Ks analysis showed that most of the identified RCI2 genes underwent a purifying selection after the duplication events. Moreover, gene structure analysis showed that the structure of RCI2 genes is largely conserved during polyploidization. The promoters of the RCI2 genes in B. napus contained more cis-acting elements, which were mainly involved in plant development and growth, plant hormone response, and stress responses. Thus, B. napus might have potential advantages in some biological aspects. In addition, the changes of RCI2 genes during polyploidization were also discussed from the aspects of gene number, gene structure, gene relative location, and gene expression, which can provide reference for future polyploidization analysis.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10617
Author(s):  
Jie Li ◽  
Xinhao Liu ◽  
Qingmei Wang ◽  
Junyan Sun ◽  
Dexian He

To set a systematic study of the Sorghum cystatins (SbCys) gene family, a genome-wide analysis of the SbCys family genes was performed by bioinformatics-based methods. In total, 18 SbCys genes were identified in Sorghum, which were distributed unevenly on chromosomes, and two genes were involved in a tandem duplication event. All SbCys genes had similar exon/intron structure and motifs, indicating their high evolutionary conservation. Transcriptome analysis showed that 16 SbCys genes were expressed in different tissues, and most genes displayed higher expression levels in reproductive tissues than in vegetative tissues, indicating that the SbCys genes participated in the regulation of seed formation. Furthermore, the expression profiles of the SbCys genes revealed that seven cystatin family genes were induced during Bipolaris sorghicola infection and only two genes were responsive to aphid infestation. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) confirmed that 17 SbCys genes were induced by one or two abiotic stresses (dehydration, salt, and ABA stresses). The interaction network indicated that SbCys proteins were associated with several biological processes, including seed development and stress responses. Notably, the expression of SbCys4 was up-regulated under biotic and abiotic stresses, suggesting its potential roles in mediating the responses of Sorghum to adverse environmental impact. Our results provide new insights into the structural and functional characteristics of the SbCys gene family, which lay the foundation for better understanding the roles and regulatory mechanism of Sorghum cystatins in seed development and responses to different stress conditions.


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