Genome-wide identification and characterization of NAC genes in Brassica juncea var. tumida

Abstract

Background NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factors play an important role in plant growth and development. However, in tumorous stem mustard (Brassica juncea var. tumida), one of the economically important crops cultivated in southwest China and some southeast Asian countries, reports on the identification of NAC family genes are lacking. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide investigation of the NAC family genes in B. juncea var. tumida, based on its recently published genome sequence data. Methods The NAC genes were identified in B. juncea var. tumida using the bioinformatics approach on the whole genome level. Additionally, the expression of BjuNAC genes was analyzed under high- and low-temperature stresses by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results A total of 300 BjuNAC genes were identified, of which 278 were mapped to specific chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis of B. juncea var. tumida, Brassica rapa, Brassica nigra, rice and Arabidopsis thaliana NAC proteins revealed that all NAC genes were divided into 18 subgroups. Furthermore, gene structure analysis showed that most of the NAC genes contained two or three exons. Conserved motif analysis revealed that BjuNAC genes contain a conserved NAM domain. Additionally, qRT-PCR data indicated that thirteen BjuNAC genes with a varying degree of up-regulation during high-temperature stress. Conversely, four BjuNAC genes (BjuNAC006, BjuNAC083, BjuNAC170 and BjuNAC223) were up-regulated and two BjuNAC genes (BjuNAC074 and BjuNAC295) down-regulated under low temperature, respectively. Together, the results of this study provide a strong foundation for future investigation of the biological function of NAC genes in B. juncea var. tumida.

Characterization of the NAC Transcription Factor in Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis) and Functional Identification of PeNAC-19 in Cold Stress

“…In B. juncea var. tumida , some NAC genes such as BjuNAC112 , BjuNAC178 , BjuNAC184 and BjuNAC240 can respond to high-temperature stress [ 55 ]. In addition, in tobacco, the overexpression of LpNAC13 in Lilium pumilum reduced the tolerance to drought stress, but positively regulated the response to salt stress [ 47 ].…”

Editorial: Abiotic stress adaptation and tolerance mechanisms in crop plants

“…The NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factor family is one of the largest families of transcription factors in plants. NAC transcription factors are named after no apical meristem (NAM) proteins found in Petunia hybrids, Arabidopsis transcription activation factor (ATAF1/2) proteins, and cup-shaped cotyledon (CUC2) proteins of A. thaliana ( Jiang et al., 2021 ). Wen et al.…”

“…The NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factor family is one of the largest families of transcription factors in plants. NAC transcription factors are named after no apical meristem (NAM) proteins found in Petunia hybrids, Arabidopsis transcription activation factor (ATAF1/2) proteins, and cup-shaped cotyledon (CUC2) proteins of A. thaliana (Jiang et al, 2021). Wen et al in their study found that a tobacco NAC gene (NtNAC028) was rapidly upregulated in response to high salinity, dehydration, and abscisic acid (ABA) stresses, suggesting a vital role of this gene in abiotic stress response.…”

Overexpression of BnNAC19 in Brassica napus enhances resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans, the blackleg pathogen of canola

“…NAC transcription factors consist of a conserved N‐terminal NAC domain, a nuclear localization sequence and a variable C‐terminus for regulating transcription (Olsen et al, 2005; Ooka et al, 2003). Recently, NAC families have been identified from over 160 plant species (Mohanta et al, 2020) including A. thaliana , rice ( Oryza sativa ), melon ( Cucumis melo ), Tartary buckwheat ( Fagopyrum tataricum ), radish ( Raphanus sativus ), canola/oilseed rape ( Brassica napus ), mustard ( Brassica juncea ) and Brassica oleracea (Jiang et al, 2021; Karanja et al, 2017; Liu et al, 2019; Nuruzzaman et al, 2010; Ooka et al, 2003; Wang et al, 2015, 2018; Wei et al, 2016). NAC transcription factors have been reported to regulate a series of developmental and biological processes, including development of the lateral roots, flowers and embryos, leaf senescence, cell division, plant hormone signalling and development of the shoot apical meristem (Guo & Gan 2006; Kim et al, 2006; Olsen et al, 2005; Puranik et al, 2012; Takada et al, 2001; Zhong et al, 2006).…”