Genome-wide identification of the SPL gene family in Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) and expression analysis during fruit development stages

Moyang Liu,Tongliang Bu,Chenglei Li,Zizhong Tang,Wenjun Sun,Li Huang,Qi Wu,Hui Chen,Zhaotang Ma

doi:10.1186/s12870-019-1916-6

Moyang Liu, Tongliang Bu + Show 7 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-019-1916-6

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Abstract

BackgroundSPL (SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like) is a class of plant-specific transcription factors that play important roles in many growth and developmental processes, including shoot and inflorescence branching, embryonic development, signal transduction, leaf initiation, phase transition, and flower and fruit development. The SPL gene family has been identified and characterized in many species but has not been well studied in tartary buckwheat, which is an important edible and medicinal crop.ResultsIn this study, 24 Fagopyrum tataricum SPL (FtSPL) genes were identified and renamed according to the chromosomal distribution of the FtSPL genes. According to the amino acid sequence of the SBP domain and gene structure, the SPL genes were divided into eight groups (group I to group VII) by phylogenetic tree analysis. A total of 10 motifs were detected in the tartary buckwheat SPL genes. The expression patterns of 23 SPL genes in different tissues and fruits at different developmental stages (green fruit stage, discoloration stage and initial maturity stage) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).ConclusionsThe tartary buckwheat genome contained 24 SPL genes, and most of the genes were expressed in different tissues. qRT-PCR showed that FtSPLs played important roles in the growth and development of tartary buckwheat, and genes that might regulate flower and fruit development were preliminarily identified. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of the SBP-box gene family in tartary buckwheat and lays a significant foundation for further studies on the functional characteristics of FtSPL genes and improvement of tartary buckwheat crops.

Highlights

SPL (SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like) is a class of plant-specific transcription factors that play important roles in many growth and developmental processes, including shoot and inflorescence branching, embryonic development, signal transduction, leaf initiation, phase transition, and flower and fruit development
Identification of the Fagopyrum tataricum SPL (FtSPL) genes in tartary buckwheat In this study, we extracted the SPL genes from the tartary buckwheat genome by the two BLASTp methods, and we identified 24 SPL genes from tartary buckwheat after removing the redundant sequences
The 24 FtSPLs identified in this study were divided into eight subgroups with the genes from A. thaliana; each group contained at least one tartary buckwheat SPL gene and A. thaliana SPL gene (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

SPL (SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like) is a class of plant-specific transcription factors that play important roles in many growth and developmental processes, including shoot and inflorescence branching, embryonic development, signal transduction, leaf initiation, phase transition, and flower and fruit development. The SPL gene family has been identified and characterized in many species but has not been well studied in tartary buckwheat, which is an important edible and medicinal crop. As a widely cultivated medicinal and edible crop, tartary buckwheat is rich in complete proteins with a wellbalanced composition of essential amino acids and is rich in beneficial soluble fiber and phytochemicals [1,2,3,4]. Transcription factors (TFs) play an indispensable role in regulating the growth and development of plants. Because the SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein (SBP)-like (SPL) gene regulates inflorescence branching and grain development, it is important to

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