Genome-wide investigation and analysis of U-box Ubiquitin–Protein ligase gene family in apple: Expression profiles during Penicillium expansum infection process. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Kaili; Yang, Qiya; Lanhuang, Boen; Lin, Hetong; Shi, Yu; Dhanasekaran, Solairaj; Godana, Esa Abiso; Zhang, Hongyin
• Is Part Of: Physiological and molecular plant pathology. Volume 111(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Apple -- U-box -- Gene family -- Penicillium expansum infection -- Biotic stress; Plant diseases -- Periodicals; Diseased plants -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Phytopathogenic microorganisms -- Host plants -- Periodicals; 632
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmpp.2020.101487
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-5765

Abstract

Abstract: U-box is the protein domain, which was presented in proteins of yeasts to higher organisms. The U-box domain-contains proteins encoded by the U-box gene family, which is a huge gene family in plants. However, information about all U-box genes in apple, one of the most popular fruits all around the world is not clear and organized. In the present study, identification of the apple U-box genes was performed based on its whole-genome sequence. From the analysis, 69 U-box genes were found in apple according to the U-box domain. The U-box genes of apple distributed across all the 17 chromosomes at different densities. Phylogenetic analysis of U-box genes between apple and Arabidopsis thaliana suggested that the genes can be clustered into seven subgroups (I–VII) on the basis of their structural and phylogenetic features. Sixty-nine U-box genes and the structure of the encoded proteins were identified in apple. The RNA-seq results showed that 23 (56.1% of the detectable genes) U-box genes were found up-regulated and 18 (43.9% of the detectable genes) U-box genes were found down-regulated under P. expansum infection stress. RT-qPCR results showed the same trend with the transcriptome. The RT-qPCR validation showed that the results obtained in the transcriptomic analysis were accurate. The U-box genes of apple were strongly expressed during P. expansum infection. These results suggested that the U-box gene family of apple may play important role in the resistance mechanism of apple against P. expansum infection. This systematic research provided a foundation for further functional investigation of U-box genes with the aim of improving apple production. Highlights: This is a firstly systematical investigation on the U-box gene family of apple. This research revealed apple U-box gene family response to P. expansum infection. This study helps to understand the role of plant U-box genes under biotic stress.