Molecular characterization of SPL gene family during flower morphogenesis and regulation in blueberry

Abstract

The SPL gene is a plant-specific transcription factor involved in the regulation of plant growth and development, which have been identified in woody plants. The process of floral bud differentiation affects the timing of flowering and fruit set and regulates plant growth, however, the mechanism of regulation of flower development by SPL genes is less studied. In this study, 56 VcSPL genes were identified in the tetraploid blueberry. The VcSPL gene family was classified into six subfamilies, and analysis of cis-elements showed that VcSPL genes were regulated by light, phytohormones (abscisic acid, MeJA), and low temperature. In the evolutionary analysis, segmental replication may play an important role in VcSPL gene amplification. Interestingly, we also studied diploid blueberry (Bilberry), in which 24 SPL genes were identified, and 36 homologous pairs were found, suggesting a high degree of convergence in the syntenic relationship between blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L) and bilberry (Vaccinium darrowii). Based on the expression profile, VcSPL genes were expressed at high levels in flowers, shoots, and roots, indicating a diversity of gene functions. Then we selected 20 differentially-expressed SPL genes to further investigate the role of VcSPL in floral induction and initiation. It showed that the genes VcSPL40, VcSPL35, VcSPL45, and VcSPL53 may play a crucial role in the blueberry floral transition phase (from vegetative growth to flower initiation). These results provided important information for understanding and exploring the role of VcSPLs in flower morphogenesis and plant growth.

Genome-Wide Analysis of SPL/miR156 Module and Its Expression Analysis in Vegetative and Reproductive Organs of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis)

“…In our study, we analyzed the tissue specific expression of EgSPLs from the available transcriptome data and the majority of EgSPL genes expressed in flower and shoot. Our results are consistent with the previous reports on expression of SPL genes in blue berry [56]. Our qPCR data on expression of 14 SPL genes that contain miR156 sites revealed confined expression of some SPL genes in male and female inflorescences.…”

Genome-wide analysis of SPL/miR156 module and their expression analysis in vegetative and reproductive organs of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)

“…In our study, we analyzed the tissue speci c expression of EgSPLs from the available transcriptome data and the majority of EgSPL genes expressed in ower and shoot. Our results are consistent with the previous reports on expression on SPL genes in blue berry [49]. Our qPCR data on expression of 14 SPL genes that contain miR156 sites, revealed that con ned expression of some SPL genes in male and female in orescences.…”

Genome-wide identification, stress- and hormone-responsive expression characteristics, and regulatory pattern analysis of Scutellaria baicalensis SbSPLs

“…The sequence length (131–1076 aa) and MW (14.97 kDa -118.85 kDa) of SbSPL proteins varied greatly. This phenomenon was also observed in Vaccinium corymbosum VcSPLs (126–1072 aa; MW: 14.04–117.84 kDa) (Feng et al 2023b ), Prunus avium PavSPLs (162–1069 aa; MW: 18–118 kDa) (Sun et al 2023 ) and Nicotiana tabacum NtSPLs (119–1001 aa; MW: 13.7–111.3 kDa) (He et al 2023 ). SPL TFs diverged earlier than green algae (Guo et al 2008 ) and initially formed two distinct lineages (clade I and clade II) in land plants.…”