Identification of the Apple PLATZ Gene Family and Functional Study of the MdPLATZ9 Gene

doi:10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2024-0903

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective To identify MdPLATZs transcription factor families from the whole apple (Malus domestica) genome, to analyze their expression characteristics, and to lay the foundation for the subsequent in-depth study of the biological functions ofMdPLATZstranscription factors. Method Seventeen members of the PLATZ gene family were identified from the whole apple genome by bioinformatics methods and divided into four subfamilies based on their sequence features, and their physicochemical characteristics, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosomal localisation and promoter cis-acting elements were analyzed. The expressions of PLATZ family members in different tissues of apple were determined, and the gene functions of MdPLATZ9 by heterologous expression and drought stress treatment were identified. Result Bioinformatics analyses showed that the molecular weight of MdPLATZs ranged from 17.23-29.39 kD, the isoelectric point ranged from 8.24-9.51, and most of the members were localised in the nucleus. These genes were distributed on 13 chromosomes of apple, and members of the same subfamily had similar gene structures and high sequence homology, with obvious covariance between groups. The PLATZ structural domains were highly conserved in the MdPLATZs family. Gene expression pattern analysis showed that there was tissue expression specificity among MdPLATZs family members, with MdPLATZs being expressed in flowers, and MdPLATZ7 being the most highly expressed in flowers and stems. Further analysis showed that peroxidase and catalase activities were significantly enhanced in Arabidopsis plants overexpressing MdPLATZ9, while malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels reduced, ascorbic acid levels increased, and the rate of superoxide anion production was slowed down, which indicated that the overexpression of MdPLATZ9 improved drought tolerance in Arabidopsis. Conclusion Seventeen members of the MdPLATZs transcription factor family are identified from the whole apple genome, and the members of this family show high similarity and homology in gene structure, protein motifs, and significant segmental duplications. Arabidopsis plants overexpressing MdPLATZ9 demonstrates significant drought resistance.

Key words: apple, MdPLATZ9, transcription factor, bioinformatics, expression pattern analysis

WANG Tian-xi, YANG Bing-song, PAN Rong-jun, GAI Wen-xian, LIANG Mei-xia. Identification of the Apple PLATZ Gene Family and Functional Study of the MdPLATZ9 Gene[J]. Biotechnology Bulletin, 2025, 41(4): 176-187.

Figures/Tables 10

Table 1 Information of MdPLATZ gene family member in apple

基因ID Gene ID	基因名称 Gene name	等电点 pI	分子量 Molecular weight/Da	亚细胞定位预测 Localization prediction
MD00G1059100	MdPLATZ1	8.55	28 544.59	Nucleus
MD02G1017000	MdPLATZ2	8.56	29 394.72	Nucleus
MD02G1208800	MdPLATZ3	8.82	24 671.44	Nucleus
MD03G1129200	MdPLATZ4	9.51	21 971.14	Nucleus
MD05G1248500	MdPLATZ5	8.39	28 487.59	Chloroplast
MD06G1001300	MdPLATZ6	8.78	28 441.46	Chloroplast, nucleus
MD06G1035500	MdPLATZ7	9.25	24 878.17	Nucleus
MD07G1117000	MdPLATZ8	8.81	27 385.73	Nucleus
MD10G1229000	MdPLATZ9	8.39	28 548.56	Chloroplast, nucleus
MD11G1151300	MdPLATZ10	9.30	24 312.98	Nucleus
MD12G1103000	MdPLATZ11	8.88	22 043.09	Nucleus
MD13G1017800	MdPLATZ12	9.50	24 708.19	Nucleus
MD14G1097400	MdPLATZ13	8.52	21 996.09	Nucleus
MD15G1161500	MdPLATZ14	8.75	29 101.53	Nucleus
MD16G1015800	MdPLATZ15	9.02	25 758.81	Nucleus
MD16G1273400	MdPLATZ16	9.33	25 264.61	Nucleus
MD17G1254800	MdPLATZ17	8.24	17 230.53	Nucleus

Fig. 1 Chromosomal location of genes (A), gene structure and conserved motif analysis (B) of MdPLATZs family members

Fig. 2 Homology analysis of PLATZ genes in appleGrey curves indicate regions of colinearity in the apple genome, and red curves indicate pairs of genes where segmental duplication occurs

Fig. 3 PLATZ phylogenetic tree of apple, Arabidopsis and maize▲ indicates apple's PLATZ protein. ★ indicates maize's PLATZ protein. ● indicates Arabidopsis's PLATZprotein. Numbers indicate the closeness of kinship

Fig. 4 Expressions of MdPLATZs gene in different tissues of appleWS: Whole seedling; FR: fruit; L: leaf; SA: stem tip; FL: flower; S: stem; EDB: early dormant bud; FDB: bloom bud; YL: young

Fig. 5 Analysis of cis-acting elements in the promoter of the MdPLATZs geneVisualized types and number of MdPLATZs promoters

Fig. 6 Evolutionary relationship between MdPLATZs and ORESARA15The numbers in the figure indicate the proximity of the relatives and the branch lengths, respectively

Fig. 7 Comparison of transgenic A. thaliana with wild-type A. thalianaA: Phenotypes of wild-type Arabidopsisthaliana and overexpressed A. thaliana grown for 14 d. B: Expression of MdPLATZ9 in wild-type A. thaliana and overexpressed A. thaliana. C: Statistics of root length data of wild-type A. thaliana and overexpressed A. thaliana grown for 14 d. WT: Wild-type A. thaliana; OE1: overexpressed A. thaliana line; OE2: overexpressed line 2; OE3: overexpressed line 3; the same below. The data are means±standard deviation (SD), n=3. * P<0.05; ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001

Fig. 8 Determination of phenotypic and physiological parameters of wild-type and overexpressed strains of A. thaliana under drought stressA: Phenotypes of wild-type A. thaliana and overexpressed A. thaliana under drought stress. B‒G: Rate of O2- production, H2O2 content, CAT activity, POD activity, Vc activity, and MDA content of wild-type A. thaliana and overexpressed A. thaliana under drought stress. Data are the mean±SD of three replicates. Different letters indicate significant differences at P<0.05 level. The same below

Fig. 9 Expressions of four different genes in Arabidopsis wild-type and overexpressed plants

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