Genome-wide identification of growth-regulating factor family (GRF) in Coffea spp.: comparative genomics and evolutionary features

• Grant number: 22/03819-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Douglas Silva Domingues
• Grantee: Thalita Pinheiro Resende
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Growth Regulating Factors (GRF) is a gene family of plant-specific transcription factors, fundamental for the regulation of growth and development. They act in the development of flowers, seeds, and roots, as well as in the coordination of growth in response to hormonal and stress interactions. Post-transcriptionally, they can be regulated by a family of microRNAs, as well as by co-activator proteins. The GRF family has been characterized in several plants, from basal species to angiosperms. Preliminary comparative analyses of public databases suggest a loss of GRF family members in the event that generated the allotetraploid species Coffea arabica, making this gene family a relevant case study of genomic evolution in Coffea spp., with basic and biotechnological ramifications. The present project aims to evaluate the evolutionary and transcriptional parameters of this transcription factor family. To this end, we will perform phylogenetically, synteny, and gene duplication analyses, as well as a re-analysis of public RNA-seq data, to select candidate genes for transcriptional validation by RT-qPCR. The present study contributes to understanding the dynamics of the evolution of gene families in a polyploid plant species, seeking to understand the complexity and diversity of the origin of molecular mechanisms in the origin of evolutionary novelties in plants, as well as bringing subsidies for biotechnological applications involving the use of this gene family in coffee.(AU)