Genome-wide characterization of the SPL gene family involved in the age development of Jatropha curcas

• Published in: BMC genomics 2020-05, Vol.21 (1), p.368-368, Article 368
• Main Authors: Yu, Niu, Yang, Jin-Chang, Yin, Guang-Tian, Li, Rong-Sheng, Zou, Wen-Tao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Age development; Agronomy; Arabidopsis - genetics; Arabidopsis thaliana; Binding sites; Biodiesel fuels; Biofuels; Biomass energy; Chromosome Mapping; Conserved sequence; DNA binding proteins; Evolution (Biology); Expression patterns; Flowering; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Genes; Genes, Plant - genetics; Genetic aspects; Genetic engineering; Genetic improvement; Genome, Plant - genetics; Genome-wide; Genomes; Genomics; Jatropha; Jatropha - classification; Jatropha - genetics; Jatropha - growth & development; Jatropha curcas; Localization; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; miR156; Multigene Family; Mutation; Nucleotide Motifs; Oils & fats; Phase transitions; Phylogeny; Plant Development - genetics; Plant growth; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Plants, Genetically Modified - genetics; Protein binding; Proteins; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; Seeds; Sequence analysis; Spatial analysis; SPL; Spl gene; Transcription factors; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Woody plants
• ISSN: 1471-2164; 1471-2164
• DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06776-8

SPL (SQUAMOSA-promoter binding protein-like) proteins form a large family of plant-specific transcription factors that play essential roles in various aspects of plant growth and development. They are potentially important candidates for genetic improvement of agronomic traits. However, there were limited information about the SPL genes in Jatropha curcas, an important biofuel plant. In Jatropha, 15 JcSPL genes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most of the JcSPLs were closely related to SPLs from woody plant rather than herbaceous plant and distantly related to monocotyledon SPLs. Gene structure, conserved motif and repetitive sequence analysis indicated diverse and specific functions of some JcSPL genes. By combination of target prediction and degradome sequencing analysis, 10 of the 15 JcSPLs were shown to be targets of JcmiR156. Quantitative PCR analysis showed diversified spatial-temporal expression patterns of JcSPLs. It is interesting that the expression levels of JcSPL3 were the highest in all tissues examined in 7- or 10-year-old plants and exhibited increasing trend with plant age, suggesting its important role in the regulation of age development in Jatropha. Overexpression of JcSPL3 in Arabidopsis resulted in earlier flowering time, shorter silique length and reduced biomass of roots. Through comprehensive and systematic analysis of phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, gene structures, chromosomal locations, repetitive sequence and expression patterns, 15 JcSPL genes were identified in Jatropha and characterized in great detail. These results provide deep insight into the evolutionary origin and biological significance of plant SPLs and lay the foundation for further functional characterization of JcSPLs with the purpose of genetic improvement in Jatropha.