| Summary: | The COBRA gene encodes a plant-specific glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein (GAP), which plays an important role in cell wall cellulose deposition. In this study, a total of 7 <i>COBRA-like</i> (<i>COBL</i>) genes were identified in the genome of the rare and endangered woody plant <i>Liriodendron chinense</i> (<i>L. chinense</i>). Phylogenetic analysis showed that these <i>LcCOBL</i> genes can be divided into two subfamilies, i.e., SF I and II. In the conserved motif analysis of two subfamilies, SF I contained 10 predicted motifs, while SF II contained 4–6 motifs. The tissue-specific expression patterns showed that <i>LcCOBL5</i> was highly expressed in the phloem and xylem, indicating its potential role in cellulose biosynthesis. In addition, the cis-element analysis and abiotic stress transcriptomes showed that three <i>LcCOBLs</i>, <i>LcCOBL3</i>, <i>LcCOBL4</i> and <i>LcCOBL5</i>, transcriptionally responded to abiotic stresses, including cold, drought and heat stress. In particular, the quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis further confirmed that the <i>LcCOBL3</i> gene was significantly upregulated in response to cold stress and peaked at 24–48 h, hinting at its potential role in the mechanism of cold resistance in <i>L. chinense</i>. Moreover, GFP-fused LcCOBL2, LcCOBL4 and LcCOBL5 were found to be localized in the cytomembrane. In summary, we expect these results to be beneficial for research on both the functions of <i>LcCOBL</i> genes and resistance breeding in <i>L. chinense</i>.
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