Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Profiling of the Glutaredoxin Gene Family in Tea Plant (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>)

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are a widely distributed group of small oxidoreductases that play an important role in responding to oxidative stress and maintaining redox homeostasis in living organisms. However, there has been no report on the <i>GRX</i> gene family in tea plants (<i>Camell...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dong Jiang, Wenhai Yang, Jianhui Pi, Guoqun Yang, Yong Luo, Shenxiu Du, Ning Li, Li-Jun Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Forests
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/8/1647
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Summary:Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are a widely distributed group of small oxidoreductases that play an important role in responding to oxidative stress and maintaining redox homeostasis in living organisms. However, there has been no report on the <i>GRX</i> gene family in tea plants (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>). In this study, we conducted a systematic analysis of the <i>CsGRX</i> gene family in tea plants and identified a total of 86 <i>CsGRX</i> genes. Based on phylogenetic and conserved active site analyses, these genes were classified into four categories: CC-type, CPYC-type, CGFS-type, and GRL-type. These subtypes showed distinct characteristics in terms of gene structure, conserved motif, chromosome distribution, subcellular localization, <i>cis</i>-regulatory elements, and expression pattern, indicating functional differences among <i>CsGRX</i> family members. Collinearity analysis showed that the <i>CsGRX</i> family may have undergone member expansion using tandem and segmental duplication along with overwhelmingly strict purifying selection. Protein tertiary structure analysis supported the conserved site-specific binding of CsGRX family members to glutathione. Protein interaction network analysis revealed that CsGRX may interact with glutathione reductase (GR), 2-Cys Peroxiredoxin BAS1, TGA3, and others to participate in the oxidative stress response in tea plants. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses also supported the important role of the <i>CsGRX</i> family in maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis. Expression analysis based on RNA-seq revealed differential expression patterns of <i>CsGRX</i> genes under drought, cold stress, and in different tissues, which were further confirmed by RT-qPCR analysis, indicating their broad-spectrum functionality. This study provides a new perspective for further exploring the evolution and molecular functions of specific <i>CsGRX</i> genes.
ISSN:1999-4907