Genome‐wide characterization of the terpene synthase gene family in Ricinus communis and its transcriptional regulation under heat stress

Abstract

AbstractTerpene synthase (TPS) genes are responsible for producing highly specialized metabolites that assist in the plant's response to biotic and abiotic stresses, ecological signaling, and the regulation of homeostasis. Ricinus communis L. is an important oilseed crop that can grow in harsh environments and still display good yield. Thus, we aimed at characterizing the TPS gene family in R. communis and its transcriptional regulation under heat stress. For that, bioinformatics and transcriptomics were used to characterize the R. communis TPS (RcTPS) family and to pinpoint potential candidate genes for further genomics studies focused on stress‐related agronomic problems. The R. communis genome possesses 46 TPS genes that were characterized by extensive bioinformatics, including phylogenetic analysis, subcellular localization, exon and intron distribution, and transcriptional regulatory regions. All 46 genes contained C‐ and N‐terminal Pfam domains (PF01397 and PF03936) characteristics of the TPS enzymes. These genes also showed the conserved motifs DDXXD, DXDD, NSE/DTE, and RRX8W. The TPS sequences were aligned with several model plant species, and the presence of the canonical motif DDXXD amongst them indicates that TPS genes were highly conserved during plant evolution. Transcriptomics indicated that 37 RcTPS genes are readily responsive to high‐temperature stress because they showed higher expression levels in seedlings growing at 35 °C compared with those growing at 20 and 25 °C. Altogether, TPS genes are potential candidates for genome editing techniques to develop abiotic stress‐tolerant crops.