Genome-wide analysis of the GRAS gene family in Liriodendron chinense reveals the putative function in abiotic stress and plant development

Yuhao Weng; Yuhao Weng; Xinying Chen; Xinying Chen; Zhaodong Hao; Zhaodong Hao; Lu Lu; Lu Lu; Xinru Wu; Xinru Wu; Jiaji Zhang; Jiaji Zhang; Jingxiang Wu; Jingxiang Wu; Jisen Shi; Jisen Shi; Jinhui Chen; Jinhui Chen

doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1211853

Frontiers in Plant Science (Sep 2023)

Genome-wide analysis of the GRAS gene family in Liriodendron chinense reveals the putative function in abiotic stress and plant development

Yuhao Weng,
Yuhao Weng,
Xinying Chen,
Xinying Chen,
Zhaodong Hao,
Zhaodong Hao,
Lu Lu,
Lu Lu,
Xinru Wu,
Xinru Wu,
Jiaji Zhang,
Jiaji Zhang,
Jingxiang Wu,
Jingxiang Wu,
Jisen Shi,
Jisen Shi,
Jinhui Chen,
Jinhui Chen

Affiliations

Yuhao Weng: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Yuhao Weng: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Xinying Chen: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Xinying Chen: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Zhaodong Hao: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Zhaodong Hao: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Lu Lu: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Lu Lu: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Xinru Wu: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Xinru Wu: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Jiaji Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Jiaji Zhang: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Jingxiang Wu: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Jingxiang Wu: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Jisen Shi: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Jisen Shi: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Jinhui Chen: State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
Jinhui Chen: Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1211853
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14

Abstract

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IntroductionGRAS genes encode plant-specific transcription factors that play essential roles in plant growth and development. However, the members and the function of the GRAS gene family have not been reported in Liriodendron chinense. L. chinense, a tree species in the Magnolia family that produces excellent timber for daily life and industry. In addition, it is a good relict species for plant evolution research.MethodsTherefore, we conducted a genome-wide study of the LcGRAS gene family and identified 49 LcGRAS genes in L. chinense.ResultsWe found that LcGRAS could be divided into 13 sub-groups, among which there is a unique branch named HAM-t. We carried out RNA sequencing analysis of the somatic embryos from L. chinense and found that LcGRAS genes are mainly expressed after heart-stage embryo development, suggesting that LcGRAS may have a function during somatic embryogenesis. We also investigated whether GRAS genes are responsive to stress by carrying out RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, and we found that the genes in the PAT subfamily were activated upon stress treatment, suggesting that these genes may help plants survive stressful environments. We found that PIF was downregulated and COR was upregulated after the transient overexpression of PATs, suggesting that PAT may be upstream regulators of cold stress. DiscussionCollectively, LcGRAS genes are conserved and play essential roles in plant development and adaptation to abiotic stress.

Published in Frontiers in Plant Science

ISSN: 1664-462X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Plant culture
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science

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