Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Key Regulatory Roles of the WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox Gene Family in Yellowhorn (<i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge)
The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene family plays a crucial role in regulating embryonic development, organ formation, and stress resistance. Yellowhorn (<i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge), a drought-resistant tree known for its oil production, lacks sufficient information regarding...
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/15/2/376 |
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| author | Wentao Zhang Xinyao Xie Linlin Le Fuliang Cao |
| author_facet | Wentao Zhang Xinyao Xie Linlin Le Fuliang Cao |
| author_sort | Wentao Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene family plays a crucial role in regulating embryonic development, organ formation, and stress resistance. Yellowhorn (<i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge), a drought-resistant tree known for its oil production, lacks sufficient information regarding the WOX gene family. To understand the evolutionary mechanisms and potential functions of this gene family in yellowhorn, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on its expression patterns and evolutionary characteristics. Our analysis revealed the presence of nine XsWOX genes in the yellowhorn genome, which could be categorized into three distinct clades through a phylogenetic analysis. A chromosomal localization analysis indicated that these nine XsWOX genes were situated on six out of the fifteen chromosomes. An intra-species collinear analysis revealed only one pair of tandem duplicated genes within the XsWOX family. The promoter regions of the XsWOX family were found to contain responsive cis-acting elements associated with plant growth and development, stress responses, and hormone signaling. Moreover, an analysis of the gene expression profiles in different developmental stages of callus revealed significant expressions of <i>XsWOX1</i>, <i>XsWOX4</i>, and <i>XsWOX5</i> in embryogenic callus and somatic embryo formation, suggesting that they have special roles in regulating yellowhorn’s somatic embryogenesis. Furthermore, the expression level of <i>XsWOX5</i> indicated its potential involvement not only in organ formation but also in responding to low temperature, salt, and saline-alkali stresses. Overall, our findings lay a solid foundation for future in-depth studies on the functionality and evolution of XsWOX genes in yellowhorn. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:32:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f662ec09daa6416681495ce56a36c6bb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:32:10Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
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| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-f662ec09daa6416681495ce56a36c6bb2024-02-23T15:17:05ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072024-02-0115237610.3390/f15020376Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Key Regulatory Roles of the WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox Gene Family in Yellowhorn (<i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge)Wentao Zhang0Xinyao Xie1Linlin Le2Fuliang Cao3College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210037, ChinaThe WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene family plays a crucial role in regulating embryonic development, organ formation, and stress resistance. Yellowhorn (<i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge), a drought-resistant tree known for its oil production, lacks sufficient information regarding the WOX gene family. To understand the evolutionary mechanisms and potential functions of this gene family in yellowhorn, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on its expression patterns and evolutionary characteristics. Our analysis revealed the presence of nine XsWOX genes in the yellowhorn genome, which could be categorized into three distinct clades through a phylogenetic analysis. A chromosomal localization analysis indicated that these nine XsWOX genes were situated on six out of the fifteen chromosomes. An intra-species collinear analysis revealed only one pair of tandem duplicated genes within the XsWOX family. The promoter regions of the XsWOX family were found to contain responsive cis-acting elements associated with plant growth and development, stress responses, and hormone signaling. Moreover, an analysis of the gene expression profiles in different developmental stages of callus revealed significant expressions of <i>XsWOX1</i>, <i>XsWOX4</i>, and <i>XsWOX5</i> in embryogenic callus and somatic embryo formation, suggesting that they have special roles in regulating yellowhorn’s somatic embryogenesis. Furthermore, the expression level of <i>XsWOX5</i> indicated its potential involvement not only in organ formation but also in responding to low temperature, salt, and saline-alkali stresses. Overall, our findings lay a solid foundation for future in-depth studies on the functionality and evolution of XsWOX genes in yellowhorn.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/15/2/376yellowhornXsWOXorgan formationabiotic stress |
| spellingShingle | Wentao Zhang Xinyao Xie Linlin Le Fuliang Cao Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Key Regulatory Roles of the WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox Gene Family in Yellowhorn (<i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge) Forests yellowhorn XsWOX organ formation abiotic stress |
| title | Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Key Regulatory Roles of the WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox Gene Family in Yellowhorn (<i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge) |
| title_full | Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Key Regulatory Roles of the WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox Gene Family in Yellowhorn (<i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge) |
| title_fullStr | Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Key Regulatory Roles of the WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox Gene Family in Yellowhorn (<i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Key Regulatory Roles of the WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox Gene Family in Yellowhorn (<i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge) |
| title_short | Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Key Regulatory Roles of the WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox Gene Family in Yellowhorn (<i>Xanthoceras sorbifolia</i> Bunge) |
| title_sort | transcriptional profiling reveals key regulatory roles of the wuschel related homeobox gene family in yellowhorn i xanthoceras sorbifolia i bunge |
| topic | yellowhorn XsWOX organ formation abiotic stress |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/15/2/376 |
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