BMC Plant Biology (Dec 2023)

Genome-wide analysis of UDP-glycosyltransferase gene family and identification of a flavonoid 7-O-UGT (AhUGT75A) enhancing abiotic stress in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

  • Lei Ouyang,
  • Yue Liu,
  • Ruonan Yao,
  • Dongli He,
  • Liying Yan,
  • Yuning Chen,
  • Dongxin Huai,
  • Zhihui Wang,
  • Bolun Yu,
  • Yanping Kang,
  • Huifang Jiang,
  • Yong Lei,
  • Boshou Liao,
  • Xin Wang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04656-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 1
pp. 1 – 16

Abstract

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Abstract Background Glycosylation, catalyzed by UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT), was important for enhancing solubility, bioactivity, and diversity of flavonoids. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oilseed and cash crop worldwide. In addition to provide high quality of edible oils and proteins, peanut seeds contain a rich source of flavonoid glycosides that benefit human health. However, information of UGT gene family was quite limited in peanut. Results In present study, a total of 267 AhUGTs clustered into 15 phylogenetic groups were identified in peanut genome. Group I has greatly expanded to contain the largest number of AhUGT genes. Segmental duplication was the major driving force for AhUGT gene family expansion. Transcriptomic analysis of gene expression profiles in various tissues and under different abiotic stress treatments indicated AhUGTs were involved in peanut growth and abiotic stress response. AhUGT75A (UGT73CG33), located in mitochondria, was characterized as a flavonoid 7-O-UGT by in vitro enzyme assays. The transcript level of AhUGT75A was strongly induced by abiotic stress. Overexpression of AhUGT75A resulted in accumulating less amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide, and enhancing tolerance against drought and/or salt stress in transgenic Arabidopsis. These results indicated AhUGT75A played important roles in conferring abiotic stress tolerance through reactive oxygen species scavenging. Conclusions Our research only not provides valuable information for functional characterization of UGTs in peanut, but also gives new insights into potential applications in breeding new cultivars with both desirable stress tolerance and health benefits.

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