Jul 2026· International Journal of Molecular Sciences· Vol 27· 0 citations· 57 references
Medicine
TL;DR
Structural and functional insights are provided into the RsChi family and candidate targets for breeding clubroot-resistant radish cultivars are highlighted, highlighting candidate targets for breeding clubroot-resistant radish cultivars.
Abstract
Clubroot, caused by the obligate biotrophic protist Plasmodiophora brassicae (P. brassicae), is a destructive soil-borne disease that severely threatens the production of radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Although chitinases are known to execute critical defense functions by degrading pathogen chitin, a comprehensive genome-wide characterization of the radish chitinase (RsChi) gene family and its specific role in clubroot resistance remains lacking. Here, we systematically identified 24 RsChi genes in the radish genome, characterizing their chromosomal distribution, structural organization, and promoter regulatory networks. These genes are unevenly distributed across seven chromosomes and cluster into four subfamilies, with tandem duplication driving family expansion, particularly on Chromosome 3. Promoter analysis revealed a significant enrichment of jasmonic acid- and abscisic acid-responsive cis-elements, implicating RsChi genes in hormone-mediated defense signaling. Using qRT-PCR to profile expression dynamics during P. brassicae infection across contrasting radish lines, we identified strong genotype- and stage-specific transcriptional responses. Notably, TRs0x1c000780 remained transcriptionally silent prior to infection but was specifically induced over 10-fold in the resistant line at 28 days post-inoculation. This infection-triggered induction positions TRs0x1c000780 as a promising candidate defense gene. Together, these findings provide structural and functional insights into the RsChi family and highlight candidate targets for breeding clubroot-resistant radish cultivars.
Background: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play pivotal roles in plant growth, abiotic stress responses, detoxification of xenobiotics, and maintenance of redox homeostasis. Methods: In this study, transcriptomic analysis was employed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the pea cultivar DX27 under freezing stress (−4 °C) at 3, 6, and 12 h. Results:GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of global transcriptomic data further reveal that DEGs are significantly enriched in the following functional categories: oxidation–reduction processes, stress responses, glutathione metabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. A total of 52 PsatGST genes were identified and classified into nine subfamilies based on phylogenetic relationships. Chromosomal localization revealed a non-random distribution across seven chromosomes. Promoter cis-element analysis indicated that PsatGST genes harbor diverse regulatory elements associated with light responsiveness, hormone signaling (auxin, abscisic acid, gibberellin, salicylic acid, and MeJA), and abiotic/biotic stress responses. PsatGSTF2 expression analysis showed pronounced up-regulation under freezing stress (−4 °C) at 3, 6, and 12 h. Conclusions: These findings provide a foundational framework for understanding the evolutionary history and functional diversification of the PsatGST gene family and offer valuable candidate genes for the breeding of stress-tolerant pea varieties.
Z. Niu, Li-Juan Zhang, Bo-Lin Sun et al.· Genes· 0 citations
A genome-wide identification and comprehensive analysis of the MaTIFY gene family in Musa acuminata provides novel insights into the evolutionary dynamics and stress-responsive functions of banana TIFY genes and identifies candidate targets for molecular breeding to improve abiotic and biotic stress resilience in banana.
Sheraz Ahmad, Huimin Song, Hangbo Cao et al.· International Journal of Mol...· 0 citations
First comprehensive characterization of the RLCK gene family in sugarcane is presented, elucidating its evolutionary features, expression dynamics and functional roles, and providing compelling evidence that ScRLCK53 modulates salt tolerance through activation of the JA signaling pathway.
Shichao Wang, Pingping Lin, Deng Wu et al.· Plant physiology and biochem...· 0 citations
Soil salinization severely restricts the growth, yield, and industrial development of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.). WRKY transcription factors play crucial roles in plant responses to abiotic stresses. However, the genome-wide characteristics of the WRKY family in apricot and their functional mechanisms in salt tolerance remain unclear. In this study, we identified 58 PaWRKY genes in apricot and characterized their phylogeny, chromosomal distribution, and gene structure. Based on transcriptomic and phylogenetic analyses, PaWRKY57 (homologous to AtWRKY33) was selected as a key salt-responsive candidate gene. Heterologous overexpression of PaWRKY57 in tobacco significantly enhanced salt tolerance; compared with the wild type, the transgenic lines exhibited a higher germination rate, better growth phenotype, lower accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), higher proline content, and stronger activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and APX). Protein-protein interaction prediction showed PaWRKY57 interacts with MPK3/4/6 and other stress-related proteins, and GO enrichment implicated it in osmotic stress and protein phosphorylation. This study provides preliminary genetic resources and a theoretical basis for research on the molecular mechanism of salt tolerance and stress-resistant molecular breeding in apricot.
Sugar transporter proteins (STPs) play pivotal roles in hexose allocation and plant stress responses. However, systematic characterization of the STP family in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and its involvement in Ralstonia solanacearum resistance remains unclear. In this study, 37 NtSTP genes were identified and classified into six groups, with Group VI being the most conserved and Group V exhibiting dicot-specific expansion. Gene structure and conserved motif analyses revealed that most NtSTP members possess the typical MFS_STP domain, although variations in exon–intron organization and motif composition suggested functional divergence. Tandem duplication (TD) served as the primary driver of NtSTP family expansion, and Ka/Ks values of all paralogous pairs were less than 1, indicative of purifying selection. Promoter cis-element analysis revealed a complex regulatory network involving hormone signaling (ABA, JA, SA, GA, ET), stress responses, and light signaling. RT-qPCR expression profiling revealed that ten NtSTP genes (NtSTP1, 5, 7, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, and 29) exhibited significant transcriptional upregulation upon R. solanacearum infection. Specifically, NtSTP5, NtSTP7, NtSTP21, NtSTP22, NtSTP24, NtSTP26, and NtSTP27 peaked at 12 h post-inoculation (hpi), whereas NtSTP1, NtSTP28, and NtSTP29 reached their highest expression levels at 24 hpi. By contrast, NtSTP6, NtSTP13, and NtSTP30 displayed reduced expression upon R. solanacearum infection. These expression patterns indicate functional diversification within the NtSTP family and imply that these members may be transcriptionally modulated during plant responses to R. solanacearum. The present work provides preliminary and valuable candidate gene resources that may facilitate future disease resistance breeding programs in tobacco.
Hua Xuan, Da-Yin Liu, Ren-Ying Xu et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
An evolutionary and transcriptional atlas of the wheat TaBSK family is delivered and candidate genes for functional validation and molecular breeding toward salt-tolerant wheat varieties are provided.
Yong-Tao Zhao, Jun-Sen Wang, Zhong-Zhou Zhang et al.· Current Issues in Molecular...· 0 citations
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