Genome-Wide Analysis of the Liriodendron chinense Hsf Gene Family under Abiotic Stress and Characterization of the LcHsfA2a Gene

Yun Yang; Jianchao Yin; Liming Zhu; Lin Xu; Weihuang Wu; Ye Lu; Jinhui Chen; Jisen Shi; Zhaodong Hao

doi:10.3390/ijms25052733

International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Feb 2024)

Genome-Wide Analysis of the Liriodendron chinense Hsf Gene Family under Abiotic Stress and Characterization of the LcHsfA2a Gene

Yun Yang,
Jianchao Yin,
Liming Zhu,
Lin Xu,
Weihuang Wu,
Ye Lu,
Jinhui Chen,
Jisen Shi,
Zhaodong Hao

Affiliations

Yun Yang: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Jianchao Yin: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Liming Zhu: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Lin Xu: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Weihuang Wu: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Ye Lu: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Jinhui Chen: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Jisen Shi: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Zhaodong Hao: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052733
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 25, no. 5
p. 2733

Abstract

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Heat shock factors (Hsfs) play a crucial role in plant defense processes. However, the distribution and functional characteristics of Hsf genes in the relict plant Liriodendron chinense are still unclear. In this study, a total of 19 LcHsfs were identified and divided into three separate subgroups, comprising 10 LcHsfA, 7 LcHsfB, and 2 LcHsfC genes, respectively, based on their phylogenetic tree and the presence/absence of conserved protein domains. Whole-genome duplication and segmental duplication led to an expansion of the LhHsf gene family. The promoters of LcHsf genes are enriched for different types of cis-acting elements, including hormone responsive and abiotic-stress-responsive elements. The expression of LcHsfA3, LcHsfA4b, LcHsfA5, LcHsfB1b, and LcHsfB2b increased significantly as a result of both cold and drought treatments. LcHsfA2a, LcHsfA2b, and LcHsfA7 act as important genes whose expression levels correlate strongly with the expression of the LcHsp70, LcHsp110, and LcAPX genes under heat stress. In addition, we found that transiently transformed 35S:LcHsfA2a seedlings showed significantly lower levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) after heat stress and showed a stronger thermotolerance. This study sheds light on the possible functions of LcHsf genes under abiotic stress and identifies potentially useful genes to target for molecular breeding, in order to develop more stress-resistant varieties.

Published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences

ISSN: 1661-6596 (Print); 1422-0067 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General); Science: Chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms

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