Genome-wide survey of B-box proteins in potato (Solanum tuberosum)—Identification, characterization and expression patterns during diurnal cycle, etiolation and de-etiolation

Urszula Talar,Agnieszka Kiełbowicz-Matuk,Jagoda Czarnecka,Tadeusz Rorat,Xiu-Qing Li

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0177471

Urszula Talar, Agnieszka Kiełbowicz-Matuk + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0177471

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: May 26, 2017
Citations: 41	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Plant B-box domain proteins (BBX) mediate many light-influenced developmental processes including seedling photomorphogenesis, seed germination, shade avoidance and photoperiodic regulation of flowering. Despite the wide range of potential functions, the current knowledge regarding BBX proteins in major crop plants is scarce. In this study, we identify and characterize the StBBX gene family in potato, which is composed of 30 members, with regard to structural properties and expression profiles under diurnal cycle, etiolation and de-etiolations. Based on domain organization and phylogenetic relationships, StBBX genes have been classified into five groups. Using real-time quantitative PCR, we found that expression of most of them oscillates following a 24-h rhythm; however, large differences in expression profiles were observed between the genes regarding amplitude and position of the maximal and minimal expression levels in the day/night cycle. On the basis of the time-of-day/time-of-night, we distinguished three expression groups specifically expressed during the light and two during the dark phase. In addition, we showed that the expression of several StBBX genes is under the control of the circadian clock and that some others are specifically associated with the etiolation and de-etiolation conditions. Thus, we concluded that StBBX proteins are likely key players involved in the complex diurnal and circadian networks regulating plant development as a function of light conditions and day duration.

Highlights

Plant growth and development are regulated by a wide range of environmental and intrinsic stimuli
We identified and characterized the potato StBBX gene family which is composed of 30 representatives with regard to structural properties and expression profiles under diurnal cycle and during etiolation and de-etiolation conditions
We demonstrated that the expression of numerous StBBX genes is differentially regulated during etiolation and de-etiolation conditions, Genome-wide survey of B-box family proteins in potato indicating that they likely fulfill distinct functions in the diurnal regulation of developmental processes

Summary

Introduction

Plant growth and development are regulated by a wide range of environmental and intrinsic stimuli. The main external stimuli are light and temperature, whereas the fundamental internal stimuli are the circadian clock [1,2,3], phytohormones [4] and other growth regulatory factors [5]. Genome-wide survey of B-box family proteins in potato the activity of downstream signaling components like transcriptional regulators of light- and dark-specific genes. Such signaling pathways determine the timing of most developmental transitions during the plant life cycle including germination, the vegetative phase change and the floral transition [6]. The circadian clock synchronizes the physiological and molecular processes to the day/night cycle [1,2]

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