Genome Identification of B-BOX Gene Family Members in Seven Rosaceae Species and Their Expression Analysis in Response to Flower Induction in Malus domestica.

Abdullah Shalmani,Xiya Zuo,Ke Li,Mingyu Han,Rahat Sharif,Feng Dong,Youmei Li,Izhar Muhammad,Kun-Ming Chen,Sheng Fan,Peng Jia,Guofang Li

doi:10.3390/molecules23071763

Abdullah Shalmani, Xiya Zuo + Show 10 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23071763

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Abstract

BBX proteins play important roles in regulating plant growth and development including photomorphogenesis, photoperiodic regulation of flowering, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. At present, the genomes of seven Rosaceae fruit species have been fully sequenced. However, little is known about the BBX gene family and their evolutionary history in these Rosaceae species. Therefore, in this study total, 212 BBX genes were investigated from seven Rosaceae species (67 from Malus × domestica, 40 from Pyrus communis, 22 from Rosa Chinesis, 20 from Prunus persica, 21 from Fragaria vesca, 22 from Prunus avium, and 20 from Rubus occidentalis). The chemical properties, gene structures, and evolutionary relationships of the BBX genes were also studied. All the BBX genes were grouped into six subfamilies on the basis of their phylogenetic relationships and structural features. Analysis of gene structure, segmental and tandem duplication, gene phylogeny, and tissue-specific expression with the ArrayExpress database showed their diversification in function, quantity, and structure. The expression profiles of 19 MdBBX genes in different tissues were evaluated through qRT-PCR. These genes showed distinct transcription level among the tested tissues (bud, flower, fruit, stem, and leaf). Moreover, expression patterns of 19 MdBBX genes were examined during flowering induction time under flowering-related hormones and treatments (GA3, 6-BA, and sucrose). The expressions of the candidates BBX genes were affected and showed diverse expression profile. Furthermore, changes in response to these flowering-related hormones and treatment specifying their potential involvement in flowering induction. Based on these findings, BBX genes could be used as potential genetic markers for the growth and development of plants particularly in the area of functional analysis, and their involvement in flower induction in fruit plants.

Highlights

Zinc finger transcription factors are one of the most important families in the plant
To identify and study the BBX genes in the Rosaceae genome, keyword and BLAST searches with default parameters were performed at SGN, NCBI, and other public databases
The BBX gene family is a group of transcription factor proteins possessing the B-box and some members have additional CCT

Summary

Introduction

Zinc finger transcription factors are one of the most important families in the plant. They regulate different plant growth and developmental processes. Zinc finger transcription factors are classified into several subfamilies based on the structural and functional features of their individual members. Molecules 2018, 23, 1763 them, B-box proteins drew more attention in the recent years because of their multiple functions. The. BBX proteins are a group of zinc-finger transcription factors that contain one or two conserved domains near to N-terminus and some have additional CCT (CONSTANS, CO-like, and TIMING Of CAB1). The B-box domains are divided into two class, known as B-box (B1) and

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