Characterization and expression analysis of the SPL gene family during floral development and abiotic stress in pecan ( Carya illinoinensis )

PeerJ

article

Min Wang¹  Zhenghai Mo¹  Ruozhu Lin³  Cancan Zhu¹ 

[1] Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences;Horticulture Research Institute, Shanghai Key Lab of Protected Horticultural Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences;Key laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forest Ecology

关键词: Carya illinoinensis;    SPL gene;    Phylogenetic analysis;    Gene promoter;    Flower development;    Abiotic stress;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.12490

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like (SPL) genes are a type of plant-specific transcription factors that play crucial roles in the regulation of phase transition, floral transformation, fruit development, and various stresses. Although SPLs have been characterized in several model species, no systematic analysis has been studied in pecans, an important woody oil tree species. In this study, a total of 32 SPL genes (CiSPLs) were identified in the pecan genome. After conducting phylogenetic analysis of the conserved SBP proteins from Arabidopsis, rice, and poplar, the CiSPLs were separated into eight subgroups. The CiSPL genes within the same subgroup contained very similar exon-intron structures and conserved motifs. Nine segmentally duplicated gene pairs in the pecan genome and 16 collinear gene pairs between the CiSPL and AtSPL genes were identified. Cis-element analysis showed that CiSPL genes may regulate plant meristem differentiation and seed development, participate in various biological processes, and respond to plant hormones and environmental stresses. Therefore, we focused our study on the expression profiles of CiSPL genes during flower and fruit development. Most of the CiSPL genes were predominantly expressed in buds and/or female flowers. Additionally, quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses confirmed that CiSPL genes showed distinct spatiotemporal expression patterns in response to drought and salt treatments. The study provides foundation for the further exploration of the function and evolution of SPL genes in pecan.

【 授权许可】

CC BY