背景:MADS-box基因家族广泛分布于植物界,及其成员通常编码转录因子以调节植物生长和发育的各个方面。特别是,MIKC型MADS-box基因在确定花器官发育和身份识别中起着至关重要的作用。作为一种雄性植物,Chionanthusretusus具有独特的性别差异。表现为只有雄性花的雄性个体和只有两性花的雌性个体。然而,由于缺乏参考基因组信息,C.retusus中MIKC型MADS-box基因的特征及其在C.retusus性别分化中的作用仍然未知。因此,有必要在C.retusus的基因组中鉴定和表征MADS-box基因家族。
结果:在这项研究中,我们在C.retusus(2n=2x=46)中对MIKC型MADS-box基因进行了全基因组鉴定和分析,利用最新的参考基因组,并研究了其在不同性别个体中的表达模式。因此,我们在C.retusus中鉴定出61个MIKC型MADS-box基因。61个MIKC型MADS-box基因可分为12个亚家族,分布在18条染色体上。基因组共线性分析揭示了它们在进化中的保守性,而基因结构,结构域和基序分析表明它们在结构上是保守的。最后,根据它们在不同性别的花器官中的表达模式,我们已经确定CrMADS45和CrMADS60可能参与了C.retusus的性别分化。
结论:我们的研究提供了对C.retusus中MIKC型MADS-box基因家族的保守性和特征的一般理解。已经证明AG亚家族的成员,CrMADS45和CrMADS60可能在C.retuus的性别分化中起重要作用。这为今后改良C.retusus花型育种工作及进一步研究MIKC型MADS-box基因在性别分化中的作用提供了参考。
BACKGROUND: The MADS-box gene family is widely distributed in the plant kingdom, and its members typically encoding transcription factors to regulate various aspects of plant growth and development. In particular, the MIKC-type MADS-box genes play a crucial role in the determination of floral organ development and identity recognition. As a type of androdioecy plant, Chionanthus retusus have unique gender differentiation. Manifested as male individuals with only male flowers and female individuals with only bisexual flowers. However, due to the lack of reference genome information, the characteristics of MIKC-type MADS-box genes in C. retusus and its role in gender differentiation of C. retusus remain largely unknown. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and characterize the MADS-box gene family within the genome of the C. retusus.
RESULTS: In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification and analysis of MIKC-type MADS-box genes in C. retusus (2n = 2x = 46), utilizing the latest reference genome, and studied its expression pattern in individuals of different genders. As a result, we identified a total of 61 MIKC-type MADS-box genes in C. retusus. 61 MIKC-type MADS-box genes can be divided into 12 subfamilies and distributed on 18 chromosomes. Genome collinearity analysis revealed their conservation in evolution, while gene structure, domains and motif analysis indicated their conservation in structure. Finally, based on their expression patterns in floral organs of different sexes, we have identified that CrMADS45 and CrMADS60 may potentially be involved in the gender differentiation of C. retusus.
CONCLUSIONS: Our studies have provided a general understanding of the conservation and characteristics of the MIKC-type MADS-box genes family in C. retusus. And it has been demonstrated that members of the AG subfamily, CrMADS45 and CrMADS60, may play important roles in the gender differentiation of C. retusus. This provides a reference for future breeding efforts to improve flower types in C. retusus and further investigate the role of MIKC-type MADS-box genes in gender differentiation.