Genome-wide Identification and Characterization of UDP-glycosyltransferase Gene Family in Gastrodia elata

doi:10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2025-1156

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective UDP-glucosyltransferase (UGT)-mediated glycosylation is a critical step in plant pigment biosynthesis. This study aimed to identify and analyze the structure and function of the UGT gene family in Gastrodia elata Bl. f. glauca S. Chow, providing a foundation for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying stem color formation in different G. elata ecotypes. Method UGT genes were identified using BLAST alignment combined with searches against the Pfam and InterPro databases. TBtools software was employed to analyze their physicochemical properties, structural characteristics, chromosomal localization, phylogenetic relationships, synteny, and cis-acting elements. Based on transcriptomic data, RT-qPCR, total flavonoid content assays, and co-expression network analysis, key UGT genes involved in stem color formation were identified. Result Fifty UGT genes were identified in the G. elata Bl. f. glauca S. Chow genome, and all contained the conserved UDPGT domain. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into 10 groups, with clades Ⅲ and Ⅳ having the largest number of members, and some members showing clustered distribution on chromosomes. The UGT promoter regions were enriched with light-responsive and hormone-responsive cis-elements. Synteny analysis identified 22 and 1 collinear UGT gene pairs between G. elata Bl. f. glauca S. Chow and Dendrobium officinale as well as Arabidopsis thaliana, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the relative expressions of UGT genes and total flavonoid accumulation varied among stems of different G. elata ecotypes. Specifically, GeUGT72_04, GeUGT73_11, and GeUGT73_15 had distinct expression patterns across the three ecotypes, showing significant correlations with total flavonoid content. Co-expression network analysis demonstrated that GeUGT73_15 was significantly positively correlated with flavonoid biosynthesis genes such as PER42 and FLS. Conversely, GeUGT73_11 was significantly negatively correlated with genes including CHS_1 and 4CL. Conclusion Stem color differences among different G. elata ecotypes are closely associated with flavonoid accumulation. GeUGT72_04, GeUGT73_11, and GeUGT73_15 may regulate flavonoid biosynthesis in G. elata stems and participate in the regulatory process of stem color formation, serving as key candidate genes for mediating G. elata stem color differentiation.

Key words: Gastrodia elata, UDP-glycosyltransferase gene family, bioinformatics, flavonoids, stem color, expression pattern, correlation analysis, co-expression network

RAN Dan-dan, TAI Sen-lin, OU Xiao-hong, ZHOU Tao, XU Jiao. Genome-wide Identification and Characterization of UDP-glycosyltransferase Gene Family in Gastrodia elata[J]. Biotechnology Bulletin, 2026, 42(7): 163-172.

Figures/Tables 10

Table 1 Primer sequences for RT-qPCR

基因Gene	上游引物Forward primer （5'-3'）	下游引物Reverse primer （5'-3'）
GeUGT92_01	CGTTTGCCGCCTGGTCTATC	GGGACGGTGAAGGTGTCTGAGT
GeUGT72_04	GATGCGTTGGCGTATTTGC	GCTCTCCAGCGTTGAGTTCC
GeUGT73_15	TGGCTCAGCGTAAAAGAGATTG	GCCTCCAACCCTAATGCGAT
GeUGT78_01	CCTCGTCGGTCATCTACATCG	AAATCCCTCTGGCAGGCTTG
Actin	CCGCATGAGCAAGGAAATAAC	AGGGAGGCAAGGATAGAACCA

Fig. 1 Phylogenetic and structural characterization of UGT gene family members in G. elataA: Phylogenetic tree. B: Conserved domain. C: Conserved motifs. D: Gene structure

Fig. 2 Chromosomal distribution of UGT gene family members in G. elata

Fig. 3 Phylogenetic tree of UGT gene family in G. elata and A. thaliana

Fig. 4 Responsive elements of hormones, light, and stress in UGT gene family members in G. elata

Fig. 5 Synteny analysis of UGT gene familyacross differentspecies

Fig. 6 Analysis of UGT genes expression patterns in G. elataA: Heatmap of UGT genes expressions in the stems of three ecotypes of G. elata. Gene expressions were transformed using log2(FPKM+1). B: RT-qPCR quantification of UGT genes expression levels in stems of three ecotypes of G. elata. RS: Stem of G. elata Bl. GS: Stem of G. elata Bl. f. viridis Makino. TBS: Stem of G. elata Bl. f. glauca S. Chow. Different lowercase letters indicate statistically significant differences at P<0.05. The same below

Fig. 7 Determination of total flavonoid contents in stems of three G. elata ecotypes

Fig. 8 Correlation between total flavonoid contents and UGT genes*, **, and *** indicate statistically significant differences at P<0.05, P<0.01, and P<0.001

Fig. 9 Expression patterns of differentially expressed genes in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway and their co‑expression network with UGTA: Expression patterns of differentially expressed genes in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. Gene expressions were transformed using log2(FPKM+1). B: Co-expression network of UGT and flavonoid-biosynthesis DEGs. Co-expression network illustrating the regulatory relationships between differentially expressed genes in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway and UGT. Node size indicates the number of connections each gene has with flavonoid biosynthesis-related differentially expressed genes, with darker color intensity indicating a higher number of connections. Edges indicate pairwise gene correlations: Red edges indicate positive correlations (R≥0.9), and blue edges indicate negative correlations (R≤-0.9)

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