Genome-Wide Identification of the <i>WUSCHEL</i>-Related Homeobox (<i>WOX</i>) Gene Family in Three <i>Cymbidium</i> Species and Expression Patterns in <i>C. goeringii</i>

oleh: Fei Wang, Xiuming Chen, Mengya Cheng, Chengcheng Zhou, Ruiyue Zheng, Xiaopei Wu, Yanru Duan, Sagheer Ahmad, Zhongjian Liu, Jinliao Chen, Donghui Peng

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2024-06-01

Deskripsi

Numerous members of the <i>WOX</i> gene family play pivotal roles during the processes of growth and development in many plants, as has been demonstrated. <i>Cymbidium goeringii</i>, <i>Cymbidium ensifolium</i>, and <i>Cymbidium sinense</i> are ornamental plants with a fascinating floral morphology that are economically important in China. However, there is limited knowledge about the members of the <i>WOX</i> gene family and their functions in these three <i>Cymbidium</i> species. Hence, the <i>WOX</i> genes in three <i>Cymbidium</i> species were identified on the ground of the genomes data of <i>C. goeringii</i>, <i>C. ensifolium</i>, and <i>C. sinense</i> in this study. These identified <i>WOX</i> genes were further studied for their physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationship, gene structure, protein structure, and cis-acting elements of promoters, as well as the expression pattern of the <i>WOX</i> genes in different tissues of <i>C. goeringii</i>. The findings revealed that eight <i>WOX</i> genes in <i>C. goeringii</i>, twelve <i>WOX</i> genes in <i>C. ensifolium</i>, and nine <i>WOX</i> genes were identified. These <i>WOX</i> genes were further subdivided into WUS, ancient, and intermediate clades. The length of the coding region ranged from 149 to 335 aa, and it was predicted that all <i>WOX</i> genes would be located on the cell nucleus. The promoter cis-acting elements primarily comprised stress response, phytohormone response, plant growth and development, and transcription factor elements. Furthermore, both the transcriptomic data and RT-qPCR analysis showed that most <i>WOX</i> genes may be involved in multiple developmental stages of <i>C. goeringii</i>. To sum up, these results may serve as a theoretical foundation for further study of the function analysis of <i>WOX</i> genes in orchids.