Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of WRKY Genes during Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in the Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Abstract

The WRKY family is one of the largest transcription factor (TF) families in plants and is involved in the regulation of plant physiological processes, such as anthocyanin accumulation. However, little information is known regarding the WRKY genes in the mango. In this study, a total of 87 mango WRKY genes were identified and named MiWRKY1 to MiWRKY87. Phylogenetic results showed that the 87 MiWRKYs could be divided into three groups (I, II, III) and five subgroups of group II (II-a, II-b, II-c, II-d, II-e), with high similarity in exon–intron structures and WRKY domain and motif compositions within the same group and subgroup. One tandem duplication (MiWRKY76 and MiWRKY82) and 97 pairs of segmental duplicates were identified in the mango genome. Syntenic analysis showed that mango MiWRKY genes had 52 and 69 orthologous pairs with Arabidopsis and citrus, respectively. Promoter cis-acting element analysis revealed that MiWRKYs contain a large number of elements associated with light signaling, hormonal response, environmental stress, and plant development. Tissue specific expression profiles showed that the expression of MiWRKY genes displayed tissue preference. Quantitative-PCR analysis showed that high expression levels of MiWRKY1, MiWRKY3, MiWRKY5, MiWRKY81, and MiWRKY84 were detected in the skin of red mango cultivar, and the expressions of MiWRKY1 and MiWRKY81 were up-regulated during light-induced anthocyanin accumulation in the mango, indicating these genes might regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in the mango. This study provides comprehensive genetic information on the MiWRKYs in mango fruit.