Identification and Expression Analysis of WOX Family Genes in Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) - 林木分子遗传育种 (MGBFT)

In this study, nine members of the PvoWOX gene family were identified by local BLAST from transcriptome and genome database of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis). The basic information such as molecular weight, protein size, and isoelectric point of PvoWOX members was analyzed by bioinformatics method. The phylogenetic tree of PvoWOX is categorized into three clades, including WUS, intermediate, and ancient clade. Furthermore, the gene structure and the conserved domains of proteins of PvoWOX family members were analyzed, and was found to be conserved in the same evolution clade. All members of PvoWOX contain conserved homeodomain, and the members of the WUS clade contain the WUS-box domain. The expression patterns of PvoWOX members were analysis by transcriptome and qRT-PCR analysis. The results showed that the nine PvoWOX genes exhibited different expression patterns in different organs of P. volubilis and the expression of the members of WUS clade and intermediate clade was tissue-specific, while the members of ancient clade were expressed in all organs. The expression patterns of PvoWOX members suggested that the different gene members might have experienced a functional divergence. This study will be helpful for further studies of PvoWOX functions in the growth and development of P. volubilis.