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Luo X, Zheng Q, He X, Zhao X, Zhang M, Huang Y, Cai B, Liu Z. The Evolution of the WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox Gene Family in Dendrobium Species and Its Role in Sex Organ Development in D. chrysotoxum. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5352. [PMID: 38791390 PMCID: PMC11121392 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factor plays a vital role in stem cell maintenance and organ morphogenesis, which are essential processes for plant growth and development. Dendrobium chrysotoxum, D. huoshanense, and D. nobile are valued for their ornamental and medicinal properties. However, the specific functions of the WOX gene family in Dendrobium species are not well understood. In our study, a total of 30 WOX genes were present in the genomes of the three Dendrobium species (nine DchWOXs, 11 DhuWOXs, and ten DnoWOXs). These 30 WOXs were clustered into ancient clades, intermediate clades, and WUS/modern clades. All 30 WOXs contained a conserved homeodomain, and the conserved motifs and gene structures were similar among WOXs belonging to the same branch. D. chrysotoxum and D. huoshanense had one pair of fragment duplication genes and one pair of tandem duplication genes, respectively; D. nobile had two pairs of fragment duplication genes. The cis-acting regulatory elements (CREs) in the WOX promoter region were mainly enriched in the light response, stress response, and plant growth and development regulation. The expression pattern and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the WOXs were involved in regulating the floral organ development of D. chrysotoxum. Among them, the high expression of DchWOX3 suggests that it might be involved in controlling lip development, whereas DchWOX5 might be involved in controlling ovary development. In conclusion, this work lays the groundwork for an in-depth investigation into the functions of WOX genes and their regulatory role in Dendrobium species' floral organ development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Bangping Cai
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization at College of Landscape Architecture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.L.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (X.Z.); (M.Z.); (Y.H.)
| | - Zhongjian Liu
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization at College of Landscape Architecture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.L.); (Q.Z.); (X.H.); (X.Z.); (M.Z.); (Y.H.)
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Li JJ, Qiu XY, Dai YJ, Nyonga TM, Li CC. Genome-Wide Identification and Co-Expression Networks of WOX Gene Family in Nelumbo nucifera. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:720. [PMID: 38475567 DOI: 10.3390/plants13050720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) genes are a class of plant-specific transcription factors, regulating the development of multiple tissues. However, the genomic characterizations and expression patterns of WOX genes have not been analyzed in lotus. In this study, 15 NnWOX genes were identified based on the well-annotated reference genome of lotus. According to the phylogenetic analysis, the NnWOX genes were clustered into three clades, i.e., ancient clade, intermediate clade, and WUS clade. Except for the conserved homeobox motif, we further found specific motifs of NnWOX genes in different clades and divergence gene structures, suggesting their distinct functions. In addition, two NnWOX genes in the ancient clade have conserved expression patterns and other NnWOX genes exhibit different expression patterns in lotus tissues, suggesting a low level of functional redundancy in lotus WOX genes. Furthermore, we constructed the gene co-expression networks for each NnWOX gene. Based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), ten NnWOX genes and their co-expressed genes were assigned to the modules that were significantly related to the cotyledon and seed coat. We further performed RT-qPCR experiments, validating the expression levels of ten NnWOX genes in the co-expression networks. Our study reveals comprehensive genomic features of NnWOX genes in lotus, providing a solid basis for further function studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Juan Li
- Hubei Province Research Center of Engineering Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hubei Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, College of Life Science and Technology, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan 432000, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Qiu
- Hubei Province Research Center of Engineering Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hubei Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, College of Life Science and Technology, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan 432000, China
| | - Yu-Jun Dai
- Hubei Province Research Center of Engineering Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hubei Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, College of Life Science and Technology, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan 432000, China
| | - Tonny M Nyonga
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Chang-Chun Li
- Hubei Province Research Center of Engineering Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hubei Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, College of Life Science and Technology, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan 432000, China
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Han N, Li F, Zhu H, Li T, Wang X, Li T, Kang J, Zhang Z. Comprehensive analysis of WOX transcription factors provide insight into genes related to the regulation of unisexual flowers development in Akebia trifoliata. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129486. [PMID: 38237833 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Akebia trifoliata is a fascinating economic and medicinal plant that produces functionally unisexual flowers due to stamen/pistil abortion during flower development, and the genetic regulation pathway of this process remain completely unknown. Here, 10 AktWOXs were identified for the first time, all contained a highly conserved homeodomain. AktWOXs were divided into three clades, each with the same or similar intron, exon, and motifs distribution. Many cis-elements related to stress response, growth and development, and hormone response were found in the AktWOXs promoter region. In addition, four candidate genes AktWOX8, AktWOX11, AktWOX13.2 and AktWUS that might be involved in unisexual flowers development were screened, all of which were located in the nucleus and showed transcriptional activation activity. Yeast one-hybrid showed that both AktKNU and AktAG1, the potential core transcription factors in the activity termination pathway of flower meristem stem cells, could bind to the promoter region of AktWUS. Dual-luciferase assay further confirmed that only AktKNU inhibited the expression of AktWUS. Collectively, this study revealed the mechanism of AktWUS that might affect the formation of unisexual flowers by regulating the timely termination of flower meristem in A. trifoliata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Han
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Fengjiao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Huiqin Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Tian Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Xiuting Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Tao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Juqing Kang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China.
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Zheng R, Peng Y, Chen J, Zhu X, Xie K, Ahmad S, Zhao K, Peng D, Liu ZJ, Zhou Y. The Genome-Level Survey of the WOX Gene Family in Melastoma dodecandrum Lour. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17349. [PMID: 38139178 PMCID: PMC10743900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Though conserved in higher plants, the WOX transcription factors play crucial roles in plant growth and development of Melastoma dodecandrum Lour., which shows pioneer position in land ecosystem formation and produces nutritional fruits. Identifying the WOX family genes in M. dodecandrum is imperative for elucidating its growth and development mechanisms. However, the WOX genes in M. dodecandrum have not yet been characterized. In this study, by identification 22 WOX genes in M. dodecandrum based on current genome data, we classified family genes into three clades and nine types with homeodomains. We highlighted gene duplications of MedWOX4, which offered evidences of whole-genome duplication events. Promoter analysis illustrated that cis-regulatory elements related to light and stress responses and plant growth were enriched. Expression pattern and RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the majority of WOX genes exhibited expression in the stem. MedWOX13s displayed highest expression across various tissues. MedWOX4s displayed a specific expression in the stem. Collectively, our study provided foundations for elucidating WOX gene functions and further molecular design breeding in M. dodecandrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyue Zheng
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Yukun Peng
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Jiemin Chen
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Xuanyi Zhu
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Kai Xie
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Sagheer Ahmad
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Kai Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China;
| | - Donghui Peng
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Zhong-Jian Liu
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
| | - Yuzhen Zhou
- Ornamental Plant Germplasm Resources Innovation & Engineering Application Research Center, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (R.Z.); (Y.P.); (J.C.); (X.Z.); (K.X.); (S.A.); (D.P.)
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Zhang ZA, Liu MY, Ren SN, Liu X, Gao YH, Zhu CY, Niu HQ, Chen BW, Liu C, Yin W, Wang HL, Xia X. Identification of WUSCHEL-related homeobox gene and truncated small peptides in transformation efficiency improvement in Eucalyptus. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:604. [PMID: 38030990 PMCID: PMC10688041 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04617-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The WUSCHEL-related Homeobox (WOX) genes, which encode plant-specific homeobox (HB) transcription factors, play crucial roles in regulating plant growth and development. However, the functions of WOX genes are little known in Eucalyptus, one of the fastest-growing tree resources with considerable widespread cultivation worldwide. RESULTS A total of nine WOX genes named EgWOX1-EgWOX9 were retrieved and designated from Eucalyptus grandis. From the three divided clades marked as Modern/WUS, Intermediate and Ancient, the largest group Modern/WUS (6 EgWOXs) contains a specific domain with 8 amino acids: TLQLFPLR. The collinearity, cis-regulatory elements, protein-protein interaction network and gene expression analysis reveal that the WUS proteins in E. grandis involve in regulating meristems development and regeneration. Furthermore, by externally adding of truncated peptides isolated from WUS specific domain, the transformation efficiency in E. urophylla × E. grandis DH32-29 was significant enhanced. The transcriptomics data further reveals that the use of small peptides activates metabolism pathways such as starch and sucrose metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and flavonoid biosynthesis. CONCLUSIONS Peptides isolated from WUS protein can be utilized to enhance the transformation efficiency in Eucalyptus, thereby contributing to the high-efficiency breeding of Eucalyptus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo-Ao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Mei-Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Shu-Ning Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yue-Hao Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Chen-Yu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hao-Qiang Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Bo-Wen Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Superior Timber Trees Resource Cultivation, Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, 23 Yongwu Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530002, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Weilun Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hou-Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Xinli Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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