Genome-wide characterization of the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii F-box family under cadmium stress

Zhuang Zhang,Renying Zhuo,Zhengquan He,Xuelong Qiu,Miao Yu,Haiying Li,Wenmin Qiu,Longhua Wu,Wen Liu,Xiaojiao Han

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82690-7

Abstract

The F-box genes, which form one of the largest gene families in plants, are vital for plant growth, development and stress response. However, F-box gene family in Sedum alfredii remains unknown. Comprehensive studies addressing their function responding to cadmium stress is still limited. In the present study, 193 members of the F-box gene (SaFbox) family were identified, which were classified into nine subfamilies. Most of the SaFboxs had highly conserved domain and motif. Various functionally related cis-elements involved in plant growth regulation, stress and hormone responses were located in the upstream regions of SaFbox genes. RNA-sequencing and co-expression network analysis revealed that the identified SaFbox genes would be involved in Cd stress. Expression analysis of 16 hub genes confirmed their transcription level in different tissues. Four hub genes (SaFbox40, SaFbox51, SaFbox136 and SaFbox170) were heterologously expressed in a Cd-sensitive yeast cell to assess their effects on Cd tolerance. The transgenic yeast cells carrying SaFbox40, SaFbox51, SaFbox136, or SaFbox170 were more sensitive and accumulated more cadmium under Cd stress than empty vector transformed control cells. Our results performed a comprehensive analysis of Fboxs in S. alfredii and identified their potential roles in Cd stress response.

Highlights

F-box protein family is one of the largest families in plant, actively involved in diverse function via protein degradation
A study regarding FOA1 suggested its role in abscisic acid signal that negatively regulated seed g ermination[10]
The genome wide molecular characterization, expression pattern and function analysis of F-box gene family responses to the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) in the hyperaccumulator S. alfredii is yet to be studied in depth

Summary

Introduction

F-box protein family is one of the largest families in plant, actively involved in diverse function via protein degradation. The UPS degrades proteins and plays key regulatory roles in modulating plant responses to different biotic and abiotic stresses. This system is composed of an ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1), an ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2), and ubiquitin ligase (E3). The genome wide molecular characterization, expression pattern and function analysis of F-box gene family responses to the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) in the hyperaccumulator S. alfredii is yet to be studied in depth. For testing the function of SaFbox, we investigate tolerance of transgenic yeast expressing SaFbox[40], SaFbox[51], SaFbox[136], SaFbox[170] and empty vector treated with Cd. The results presented in this study provided useful information on F-box proteins in S. alfredii for future functional studies, the proteins that may have important functions in response to Cd stress

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion