New insight into the roles of lipid transfer protein and seed storage albumin gene families involved in oil and protein accumulation in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract

In rapeseed ( Brassica napus L.), lipid transfer protein (LTP) and seed storage albumin (SSA) gene families are involved in lipid and protein metabolism. Understanding the mechanism of oil biosynthesis has great value to increase oil production. The LTPs and SSA gene families were identified of Brassicaceae. The LTPs were divided into six groups according to their sequences, and LTPs of all five species in Brassicaceae also had the same pattern. The genes at a higher expression level were evenly distributed across five groups except group ii. The gene groups in these two gene families showed different expression patterns, with most of the LTP genes expressed at a higher level at 25 days after flowering (DAF), but SSA genes were highly expressed at 40 DAF stage. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of the regulatory genes for LTPs also was performed, including response to biotic stimulus (GO:0009607), generation of precursor metabolites and energy (GO:0006091), electron transport chain (GO:0022900), oxidative phosphorylation (GO:0006119), adenosine triphosphate metabolic process (GO:0046034), and phosphorylation (GO:0016310). These results may facilitate further research to understand the expression patterns and regulatory mechanism of LTPs and SSAs.