Identification and expression analysis of E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes in cucumber

Abstract

Protein ubiquitination is one of the most common modifications that can degrade or modify proteins in eukaryotic cells. The E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (UBCs) are involved in multiple biological processes of eukaryotes and their response to adverse stresses. Genome-wide survey of the UBC gene family has been performed in many plant species but not in cucumber (Cucumis sativus). In this study, a total of 38 UBC family genes (designated as CsUBC1–CsUBC38) were identified in cucumber. The phylogenetic analysis of UBC proteins from cucumber, Arabidopsis and maize indicated that these proteins could be divided into 15 groups. Most of the phylogenetically related CsUBC members had similar conserved motif patterns and gene structures. The CsUBC genes were unevenly distributed on seven chromosomes, and gene duplication analysis indicated that segmental duplication has played a significant role in the expansion of the cucumber UBC gene family. Promoter analysis of these genes resulted in the identification of many hormone-, stress- and development-related cis-elements. The CsUBC genes exhibited differential expression patterns in different tissues and developmental stages of fruit ripening. In addition, a total of 14 CsUBC genes were differentially expressed upon downy mildew (DM) infection compared with the control. Our results lay the foundation for further clarification of the roles of the CsUBC genes in the future.