Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of duplicated flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase gene family in Carthamus tinctorius L.

Abstract

Flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase (F3’H) enzyme is essential in determining the flavonoids B-ring hydroxylation pattern. It is mainly implicated in the biosynthetic pathway of cyaniding-based anthocyanins, flavonols, and flavan-3-ols. However, the evolution and regulatory mechanism of these important flavonoid hydroxylases have not been systematically investigated in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). In this study, we identified 22 duplicatedCtF3'H-encoding genes from safflower through genome-wide prediction and conservation analysis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the pattern of conservation and divergence of CtF3'Hs encoding proteins and their homologs from different plant species. The distribution of conserved protein motifs and cis-regulatory units suggested several structural components that could be crucial in deciphering the final function of CtF3'H proteins. Furthermore, the results of RNA-seq and qRT-PCR assay in different flowering tissues suggested differential expression level of CtF3’H genes during flower development. Based on the unique homology of CtF3’H5 with flavonoid 3’ hydroxylases from other plant species, further validation of CtF3’H5 was carried out. The transient expression of CtF3’H5 in onion epidermal cells implied that the subcellular localization of the fusion construct containing CtF3’H5 and GFP was predominantly detected in the plasma membrane. Similarly, the prokaryotic expression and western blot hybridization of CtF3’H5 demonstrated the detection of a stable 50.3kD target protein. However, more efforts are needed to further extend the functional validation of CtF3’H5 in safflower. This study provides a fundamental gateway for future functional studies and understanding the genetic evolution of F3'Hs in plants.

Genome-Wide Identification of MADS-Box Family Genes in Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and Functional Analysis of CtMADS24 during Flowering

“…Previous studies demonstrated the genome-wide identification of several gene and transcription factor families in safflower. Gene families such as cytochrome P450 [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], HCT [ 34 ], and oleosin [ 35 ] and transcription-factor-encoding families such as MYB [ 36 ], bHLH [ 37 ], and bZIP [ 38 ] have been extensively studied in safflower. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying flowering control in safflower are still unknown; only a few studies have shown that the yield of petals and seeds of safflowers is related to the number of rosettes and the number of florets in the main and lateral stem, but no information is available on the genome-wide identification and functional analysis of MADS-box genes in safflower.…”

Hydroalcoholic Carthamus tinctorius L. Extract Attenuates TNBS-induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice Via Downregulation of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

“…Currently, more than 200 compounds have been isolated. Some of these active compounds include alkaloids, quinolones, flavonoids, polyacetylene, safflower polysaccharides, and organic acids, [9][10] with pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulating properties. [11][12][13][14][15] Considering the bioactive compounds, we aim to investigate the therapeutic potential of Carthamus tinctorius L. against TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis in balb/c mice.…”