Genome-wide analysis of the PME gene family reveals its role in suppressing fruit lignification in pear
Abstract In pears, the presence of stone cells adversely affects fruit quality. Pectin methylesterase (PME) plays various roles in plant biology, including lignin biosynthesis. However, only a limited fraction has been functionally characterized, and the distribution and function of PME in many Rosa...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2024-03-01
|
| Series: | Horticulture Advances |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44281-024-00033-8 |
| _version_ | 1797247184731635712 |
|---|---|
| author | Fanhang Zhang Qi Wang Kaili Yuan Zhihua Xie Kaijie Qi Wen Li Xin Gong Shaoling Zhang Shutian Tao |
| author_facet | Fanhang Zhang Qi Wang Kaili Yuan Zhihua Xie Kaijie Qi Wen Li Xin Gong Shaoling Zhang Shutian Tao |
| author_sort | Fanhang Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In pears, the presence of stone cells adversely affects fruit quality. Pectin methylesterase (PME) plays various roles in plant biology, including lignin biosynthesis. However, only a limited fraction has been functionally characterized, and the distribution and function of PME in many Rosaceae trees remain unexplored. In this study, we identified 396 putative PME family candidate genes, with 81 in Pyrus bretschneideri, 92 in Malus domestica, 62 in Fragaria vesca, 65 in Prunus mume, 15 in Pyrus communis, and 81 in Pyrus pyrifolia. Leveraging insights from model plants, we categorized PME family genes into four groups. Additionally, the evolution of the PME gene family was shaped by various gene duplication events, primarily dispersed duplication, influenced by purifying selection. A specific gene, Pbr031522.1, designated PbPME35, emerged as a candidate associated with lignin biosynthesis in pear fruits, supported by RNA-seq data. The role of PbPME35 in repressing lignification was validated through its overexpression in pear callus and Arabidopsis. Overall, our findings highlight the ability of PbPME35 to reduce lignin content in pear fruit by downregulating the expression levels of lignin biosynthesis genes. These findings provide new insights into the characteristics of PME genes and their role in regulating lignification in pear fruits. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:54:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2b877993e37f4d69bc4908db97d4900f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2948-1104 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:54:40Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Horticulture Advances |
| spelling | doaj.art-2b877993e37f4d69bc4908db97d4900f2024-03-24T12:23:58ZengSpringerHorticulture Advances2948-11042024-03-012111410.1007/s44281-024-00033-8Genome-wide analysis of the PME gene family reveals its role in suppressing fruit lignification in pearFanhang Zhang0Qi Wang1Kaili Yuan2Zhihua Xie3Kaijie Qi4Wen Li5Xin Gong6Shaoling Zhang7Shutian Tao8Sanya Institute, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural UniversitySanya Institute, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural UniversitySanya Institute, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural UniversitySanya Institute, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural UniversitySanya Institute, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural UniversitySanya Institute, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural UniversitySanya Institute, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural UniversitySanya Institute, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural UniversitySanya Institute, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityAbstract In pears, the presence of stone cells adversely affects fruit quality. Pectin methylesterase (PME) plays various roles in plant biology, including lignin biosynthesis. However, only a limited fraction has been functionally characterized, and the distribution and function of PME in many Rosaceae trees remain unexplored. In this study, we identified 396 putative PME family candidate genes, with 81 in Pyrus bretschneideri, 92 in Malus domestica, 62 in Fragaria vesca, 65 in Prunus mume, 15 in Pyrus communis, and 81 in Pyrus pyrifolia. Leveraging insights from model plants, we categorized PME family genes into four groups. Additionally, the evolution of the PME gene family was shaped by various gene duplication events, primarily dispersed duplication, influenced by purifying selection. A specific gene, Pbr031522.1, designated PbPME35, emerged as a candidate associated with lignin biosynthesis in pear fruits, supported by RNA-seq data. The role of PbPME35 in repressing lignification was validated through its overexpression in pear callus and Arabidopsis. Overall, our findings highlight the ability of PbPME35 to reduce lignin content in pear fruit by downregulating the expression levels of lignin biosynthesis genes. These findings provide new insights into the characteristics of PME genes and their role in regulating lignification in pear fruits.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44281-024-00033-8PearStone cellLignin biosynthesisPectin methylesterase |
| spellingShingle | Fanhang Zhang Qi Wang Kaili Yuan Zhihua Xie Kaijie Qi Wen Li Xin Gong Shaoling Zhang Shutian Tao Genome-wide analysis of the PME gene family reveals its role in suppressing fruit lignification in pear Horticulture Advances Pear Stone cell Lignin biosynthesis Pectin methylesterase |
| title | Genome-wide analysis of the PME gene family reveals its role in suppressing fruit lignification in pear |
| title_full | Genome-wide analysis of the PME gene family reveals its role in suppressing fruit lignification in pear |
| title_fullStr | Genome-wide analysis of the PME gene family reveals its role in suppressing fruit lignification in pear |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genome-wide analysis of the PME gene family reveals its role in suppressing fruit lignification in pear |
| title_short | Genome-wide analysis of the PME gene family reveals its role in suppressing fruit lignification in pear |
| title_sort | genome wide analysis of the pme gene family reveals its role in suppressing fruit lignification in pear |
| topic | Pear Stone cell Lignin biosynthesis Pectin methylesterase |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44281-024-00033-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fanhangzhang genomewideanalysisofthepmegenefamilyrevealsitsroleinsuppressingfruitlignificationinpear AT qiwang genomewideanalysisofthepmegenefamilyrevealsitsroleinsuppressingfruitlignificationinpear AT kailiyuan genomewideanalysisofthepmegenefamilyrevealsitsroleinsuppressingfruitlignificationinpear AT zhihuaxie genomewideanalysisofthepmegenefamilyrevealsitsroleinsuppressingfruitlignificationinpear AT kaijieqi genomewideanalysisofthepmegenefamilyrevealsitsroleinsuppressingfruitlignificationinpear AT wenli genomewideanalysisofthepmegenefamilyrevealsitsroleinsuppressingfruitlignificationinpear AT xingong genomewideanalysisofthepmegenefamilyrevealsitsroleinsuppressingfruitlignificationinpear AT shaolingzhang genomewideanalysisofthepmegenefamilyrevealsitsroleinsuppressingfruitlignificationinpear AT shutiantao genomewideanalysisofthepmegenefamilyrevealsitsroleinsuppressingfruitlignificationinpear |