Genome-wide characterization of the PLATZ gene family in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) with putative functions in biotic and abiotic stress response

Jiahui Qi; Hui Wang; Xinyi Wu; Muhammad Noman; Ya Wen; Dayong Li; Fengming Song

doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107854

Genome-wide characterization of the PLATZ gene family in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) with putative functions in biotic and abiotic stress response

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2023 Aug:201:107854. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107854. Epub 2023 Jun 20.

Authors

Jiahui Qi¹, Hui Wang², Xinyi Wu², Muhammad Noman², Ya Wen², Dayong Li³, Fengming Song⁴

Affiliations

¹ Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China; Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China.
² Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
³ Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China. Electronic address: dyli@zju.edu.cn.
⁴ Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China; State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China. Electronic address: fmsong@zju.edu.cn.

PMID: 37356384
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107854

Abstract

Plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding (PLATZ) proteins are plant-specific transcription factors involved in growth, development, and stress responses. Here, we conducted a genome-wide characterization of the watermelon ClPLATZ family and examined its expression responsiveness to defense hormones and pathogen infection along with putative functions in biotic and abiotic stress responses. The watermelon genome contains 12 putative ClPLATZ genes, encoding proteins with a characteristic PLATZ domain, and their promoters contain various cis-elements related to plant growth, development, phytohormones and stress response. The ClPLATZ genes, except ClPLATZ6, are differentially expressed in response to defense hormones (e.g., salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate) and fungal infections caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum and Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum. Most ClPLATZ proteins interact with other proteins (viz., ClDP, ClRPT2a, and ClRPC53). Among ClPLATZ proteins, ClPLATZ8, 9, 10, and 11 are predominately localized in the nucleus. ClPLATZ3 and 8 positively, but ClPLATZ11 negatively regulate resistance against Pseudomonas syringe pv. tomato DC3000 in transgenic Arabidopsis lines. ClPLATZ8 and 11 positively regulate stress tolerance to NaCl and mannitol during seed germination in transgenic Arabidopsis. In conclusion, the characterization of the ClPLATZ family provides insights into the biological functions of ClPLATZ genes in growth, development, and stress response in watermelon. Further, the involvement of certain ClPLATZ genes in biotic and abiotic stress response in transgenic Arabidopsis suggests their potential application in engineering stress-tolerant crops.

Keywords: Disease resistance; Expression patterns; PLATZ; Stress response; Watermelon.