Abstract
Lignin is an important biological polymer in plants that is necessary for plant secondary cell wall ontogenesis. The laccase (LAC) gene family catalyzes lignification and has been suggested to play a vital role in the plant kingdom. In this study, we identified 45 LAC genes from the Brassica napus genome (BnLACs), 25 LAC genes from the Brassica rapa genome (BrLACs) and 8 LAC genes from the Brassica oleracea genome (BoLACs). These LAC genes could be divided into five groups in a cladogram and members in same group had similar structures and conserved motifs. All BnLACs contained hormone- and stress- related elements determined by cis-element analysis. The expression of BnLACs was relatively higher in the root, seed coat and stem than in other tissues. Furthermore, BnLAC4 and its predicted downstream genes showed earlier expression in the silique pericarps of short silique lines than long silique lines. Three miRNAs (miR397a, miR397b and miR6034) target 11 BnLACs were also predicted. The expression changes of BnLACs under series of stresses were further investigated by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The study will give a deeper understanding of the LAC gene family evolution and functions in B. napus.
Highlights
IntroductionRapeseed oil was once considered as a bad food choice because the seeds contain erucic acid and cholesterol, but with breeding selection and industrial improvement, B. napus has nowadays become the third largest source of vegetable oil
B. napus originated from either the Mediterranean or Northern Europe and was formed by chromosome doubling after an interspecific natural cross between B. rapa (AA, 2n = 20) and B. oleracea (CC, 2n = 18) [1]
We identified and analyzed the LAC gene family with the aim of providing a reference at the genome level and deeper understanding of lignification
Summary
Rapeseed oil was once considered as a bad food choice because the seeds contain erucic acid and cholesterol, but with breeding selection and industrial improvement, B. napus has nowadays become the third largest source of vegetable oil. B. napus is susceptible to various biotic and abiotic stresses, such as drought, heat, low temperature and fungi infection. Studies have proved that lignin is related to drought stress [2] and a high content can improve the resistance to lodging and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (S. sclerotiorum) [3,4]. Laccases are widely distributed with obvious functional differences in plants and fungi [5,6].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
