Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of AP2/ERF genes in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Dalu Li; YongJun He; Shaohang Li; Suli Shi; Linzhi Li; Yang Liu; Huoying Chen

doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.08.006

Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of AP2/ERF genes in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2021 Oct:167:492-503. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.08.006. Epub 2021 Aug 14.

Authors

Dalu Li¹, YongJun He², Shaohang Li³, Suli Shi⁴, Linzhi Li⁵, Yang Liu⁶, Huoying Chen⁷

Affiliations

¹ School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China. Electronic address: ldlshjt10015@sjtu.edu.cn.
² School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China. Electronic address: hyj016150910024@sjtu.edu.cn.
³ School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China. Electronic address: shaohangli@sjtu.edu.cn.
⁴ School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China. Electronic address: shisuli1026@sjtu.edu.cn.
⁵ School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China. Electronic address: 017150910025@sjtu.edu.cn.
⁶ School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China. Electronic address: liuyangtl@sjtu.edu.cn.
⁷ School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China. Electronic address: chhy@sjtu.edu.cn.

PMID: 34425394
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.08.006

Abstract

The AP2/ERF (APETALA2/Ethylene Response Factor) transcription factor superfamily plays crucial roles in a slew of physiological processes, such as plant growth and development, stress response, and secondary metabolites biosynthesis. Eggplant, especially the one rich with anthocyanins, is an economically important horticultural vegetable cultivated worldwide. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the putative AP2/ERF gene family members and their response to abiotic stress in eggplant. As per the phylogenetic, conserved domains, and motif analysis, 178 AP2/ERF genes in this study belonged to five subfamilies. Chromosomal distributions analysis elucidated stochastic distribution of 178 putative SmAP2/ERF genes across the twelve chromosomes of eggplant. Expression profiles of sixteen selected AP2/ERF genes response to low temperature, drought, salt, abscisic acid, and ethylene treatments were analyzed, which revealed the involvement of SmAP2/ERF genes in diverse signaling pathways. In addition, we integrated RNA-Seq data on anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant with yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays and identified involvement of the SmAP2/ERF genes (Smechr0902114.1 and Smechr1102075.1) in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis. This study will enable further functional characterization of AP2/ERF genes in eggplant and extend the current understanding of the role played by AP2/ERF genes in anthocyanin biosynthesis regulation.

Keywords: AP2/ERFs; Anthocyanin; Eggplant; Expression analysis; Genome-wide characterization.

MeSH terms

Anthocyanins
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Phylogeny
Plant Proteins / genetics
Plant Proteins / metabolism
Solanum melongena* / genetics
Solanum melongena* / metabolism

Substances

Anthocyanins
Plant Proteins