Identification of WUSCHEL-related homeobox gene and truncated small peptides in transformation efficiency improvement in Eucalyptus

Zhuo-Ao Zhang; Mei-Ying Liu; Shu-Ning Ren; Xiao Liu; Yue-Hao Gao; Chen-Yu Zhu; Hao-Qiang Niu; Bo-Wen Chen; Chao Liu; Weilun Yin; Hou-Ling Wang; Xinli Xia

doi:10.1186/s12870-023-04617-w

BMC Plant Biology (Nov 2023)

Identification of WUSCHEL-related homeobox gene and truncated small peptides in transformation efficiency improvement in Eucalyptus

Zhuo-Ao Zhang,
Mei-Ying Liu,
Shu-Ning Ren,
Xiao Liu,
Yue-Hao Gao,
Chen-Yu Zhu,
Hao-Qiang Niu,
Bo-Wen Chen,
Chao Liu,
Weilun Yin,
Hou-Ling Wang,
Xinli Xia

Affiliations

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Bo-Wen Chen: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Superior Timber Trees Resource Cultivation, Guangxi Forestry Research Institute
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
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
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
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

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04617-w
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 23, no. 1
pp. 1 – 15

Abstract

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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.

Published in BMC Plant Biology

ISSN: 1471-2229 (Online)
Publisher: BMC
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Botany
Website: http://bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com

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