Identification and Functional Analysis of the TCP Gene Family in Quercus fabri

doi:10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2025-0818

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective TCP (teosinte branched 1/cincinnata/proliferating cell factor) is a plant-specific transcription factor that plays a significant role in the growth and development of plants. By identifying the TCP gene family in Quercus fabri, this study aims to investigate the expression patterns of QfTCP genes in the branching development, validate the function of the key gene QfTCP22, and provide a molecular basis for the improvement of plant architecture in Q. fabri. Method Bioinformatics methods were used to identify the TCP gene family based on the genomic data of Q. fabri, and to analyze the physicochemical properties, chromosomal distribution, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, cis-acting elements, and gene collinearity of the family members. RT-qPCR combined with transcriptome data was to examine the expression patterns of QfTCP gene family members during axillary bud development, while the function of QfTCP22 was verified through heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis. Result A total of 23 TCP genes were identified in Q. fabri, classified into three subfamilies: PCE, CIN, and CYC/TB1. These genes were unevenly distributed across 10 chromosomes, with chromosome 10 containing the highest number of members. All QfTCP members possessed a common conserved motif Motif 1, and presented relatively simple gene structures. Collinearity analysis revealed that 10 pairs of QfTCP genes had collinear relationships. Analysis of cis-acting elements indicated that the functions of QfTCP genes were relatively complex, involving light signal response, hormone regulation, and stress adversity. Transcriptomic data of axillary bud development and RT-qPCR results showed that QfTCP1 and QfTCP22 of the CYC/TB1 subfamily showed a significant downregulation trend during axillary bud development. Furthermore, the overexpression of the QfTCP22 gene in the Arabidopsis brc1 mutant significantly reduced the number of branches. Conclusion Members of the Q. fabriTCP gene family was identified, revealing that QfTCP22 acts as a suppressor in plant branch development.

Key words: Quercus fabri, TCP gene, branch development, bioinformatics, analysis of expression pattern

XIONG Shi-fa, CHEN Yi-cun, WU Li-wen, SHI Xiang, ZHANG Sheng-jiao, PENG Fang-you, CHEN Tao-mei, WANG Yang-dong. Identification and Functional Analysis of the TCP Gene Family in Quercus fabri[J]. Biotechnology Bulletin, 2026, 42(6): 258-266.

Figures/Tables 8

Table 1 Primer list

引物名称 Primer name	序列 Sequence （5′‒3′）	用途 Usage
QfTCP1-F	TCACACTGGGCTCCTCTTTT	RT-qPCR
QfTCP1-R	TTTGGACCACCATTGCTTTT	RT-qPCR
QfTCP22-F	TTCCAACAAAAATCACATCA	RT-qPCR
QfTCP22-R	TTCAAGAGTAACCATTCAACG	RT-qPCR
QfTCP22-OE-F	TCAGCAGTCGAAGAGC	过表达
QfTCP22-OE-R	TTAGCGTGTGAAGAGC	过表达
QfActin-F	GATTCTGGTGATGGTGTGAGC	内参
QfActin-R	ATGAGAGATGGCTGGAAGAGT	内参

Fig. 1 Chromosomal distribution of TCP genes in Q. fabri

Fig. 2 Phylogenetic tree of TCP proteins from Q. fabri, Q. mongolica, Q. variabilis and A. thaliana

Fig. 3 Phylogenetic relationships and gene structure of TCP protein in Q. fabri

Fig. 4 Synteny analysis of TCP gene family in Q. fabri

Fig. 5 Analysis of cis-acting elements in the promoter region of the TCP gene family in Q. fabri

Fig. 6 Heatmap of TCP gene family expression in axillary bud development of Q. fabri (A) and RT-qPCR validation of some members (B)

Fig. 7 Plant phenotype and RT-qPCR of Arabidopsis plants overexpressing QfTCP22A: Phenotypes of the brc1 mutant and QfTCP22-complemented brc1 mutant plants. Bat=5 cm. B: PCR identification of transgenic positive plants (M: DL2000 marker; WT: negative control; OE1-OE3: transgenic lines). C: Branch number of the brc1 mutant and QfTCP22-complemented brc1 mutant plants and RT-qPCR

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