Identification and characterization of NF-YB family genes in tung tree

Abstract

The NF-YB transcription factor gene family encodes a subunit of the CCAAT box-binding factor (CBF), a highly conserved trimeric activator that strongly binds to the CCAAT box promoter element. Studies on model plants have shown that NF-YB proteins participate in important developmental and physiological processes, but little is known about NF-YB proteins in trees. Here, we identified seven NF-YB transcription factor-encoding genes in Vernicia fordii, an important oilseed tree in China. A phylogenetic analysis separated the genes into two groups; non-LEC1 type (VfNF-YB1, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13) and LEC1-type (VfNF-YB 14). A gene structure analysis showed that VfNF-YB 5 has three introns and the other genes have no introns. The seven VfNF-YB sequences contain highly conserved domains, a disordered region at the N terminus, and two long helix structures at the C terminus. Phylogenetic analyses showed that VfNF-YB family genes are highly homologous to GmNF-YB genes, and many of them are closely related to functionally characterized NF-YBs. In expression analyses of various tissues (root, stem, leaf, and kernel) and the root during pathogen infection, VfNF-YB1, 5, and 11 were dominantly expressed in kernels, and VfNF-YB7 and 9 were expressed only in the root. Different VfNF-YB family genes showed different responses to pathogen infection, suggesting that they play different roles in the pathogen response. Together, these findings represent the first extensive evaluation of the NF-YB family in tung tree and provide a foundation for dissecting the functions of VfNF-YB genes in seed development, stress adaption, fatty acid synthesis, and pathogen response.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the NF-YB Gene Family in Gossypium hirsutum L. and Characterization of the Role of GhDNF-YB22 in Embryogenesis

“…All NF-Y subunits contain a highly conserved core region for subunit interactions, which are vital to the function of the transcription factor [ 3 ]. The NF-YB subunit includes an amino-terminal A domain, a B domain, and a carboxyl-terminal C domain [ 4 ]. Of these, the B domain is the most essential owing to the presence of amino acid residues necessary for its interaction with NF-YA and NF-YC [ 5 ].…”

“…Furthermore, NF-YB genes have been shown to be involved in the process of chloroplast biogenesis in rice, and fruit ripening in the tomato [ 10 , 12 , 24 ], while the over-expression of a single NF-YB gene in wheat resulted in a 20–30% increase in grain yield [ 25 ]. In another study, VfNF-BY genes have been shown to play a vital role in pathogen response in the tung tree [ 4 ]. Even though NF-YB genes have been identified and characterized in dozens of plant species, the members and roles of this gene family in cotton, most notably in upland cotton ( G. hirsutum) , remain unclear.…”

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of theLRR-RLKGene Family in TwoVerniciaSpecies

“…After this infection process, the plants were cultivated in an artificial climate chamber (8 h light/16 h dark) at 26°C with 95% relative humidity. The plants were observed regularly and the disease incidence was recorded [ 30 ]. Roots of plants were collected, and the stage of infection was determined according to the symptoms of the seedlings.…”

Comprehensive Analysis of the NF-YB Gene Family and Expression under Abiotic Stress and Hormone Treatment in Larix kaempferi

“…In contrast, plant genes encoding the NF-YB subunit are expanded, such as 34 NF-YB genes in wheat [4] and more than 10 in Arabidopsis, Z. jujuba and rice [5][6][7]. The NF-YB subunit consists of three domains, including aminoterminal A domain, a central conserved B domain and carboxyl-terminal C domain [8]. Of these, the B domain contains the amino acid residues necessary for interaction with NF-YA and NF-YC [8,9], and according to whether the B domain contains 16 amino acid residues (MIRHDIYNDRQTAEKT) [10,11] or not, the NF-YB subunits are classified into either LEAFY COTYLEDON1(LEC1) or non-LEC1 types.…”

“…The NF-YB subunit consists of three domains, including aminoterminal A domain, a central conserved B domain and carboxyl-terminal C domain [8]. Of these, the B domain contains the amino acid residues necessary for interaction with NF-YA and NF-YC [8,9], and according to whether the B domain contains 16 amino acid residues (MIRHDIYNDRQTAEKT) [10,11] or not, the NF-YB subunits are classified into either LEAFY COTYLEDON1(LEC1) or non-LEC1 types. Some studies have suggested that the non-LEC1 NF-YB genes may evolve from duplication and functional divergence of LEC1 NF-YB genes [12][13][14].…”