Identification of lignin-related WRKY transcription factors in the grass Setaria viridis

Autor(es)

da Cunha, Lucas Xavier ; de Lima, Leydson Gabriel Alves ; Cesarino, Igor

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PLANT PHYSIOLOGY; v. 37, n. 1, p. 16-pg., 2024-12-20.

Resumo

Little is known about the role of WRKY transcription factors in the regulation of the phenylpropanoid and lignin metabolism in grasses. This group of plants differ considerably in terms of vascular patterning and secondary wall composition when compared to eudicots, suggesting the presence of grass-specific molecular and biochemical mechanisms. Here, we performed a genome-wide characterization of the WRKY gene family in the model C4 grass Setaria viridis and the identification of candidate WRKY genes potentially involved in the regulation of phenolic/lignin metabolism. A total of 108 genes encoding WRKYs were found in the S. viridis genome, which were grouped into three phylogenetic groups differing in the number of WRKY domains and the structure of their zinc-finger motifs. The selection of candidate lignin-related WRKYs was performed using a combination of comparative phylogenetic analysis, high-throughput expression analysis, and RT-qPCR. Seven SvWRKYs were selected as potential candidates to play a role in the regulation of developmental lignification in S. viridis based on (1) orthologous relationships with WRKYs previously shown to play a role in lignification in other plant species, (2) similar expression pattern to that of lignin-related genes in public transcriptomic databases, (3) similar expression pattern to that observed for lignin biosynthetic genes in the S. viridis elongating internode, and (4) high expression in S. viridis tissues undergoing active lignification. Functional characterization of our candidate SvWRKYs using reverse genetics might provide more definitive evidence of their involvement in the lignification process in C4 grasses. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 21/06142-8 - Modificando o metabolismo fenólico: da descoberta de funções gênicas às biofábricas verdes
• Beneficiário: Igor Cesarino
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOEN - Jovens Pesquisadores - Fase 2
• Processo FAPESP: 22/09003-1 - Uma visão sistêmica do metabolismo fenólico e de lignina na gramínea modelo Setaria viridis
• Beneficiário: Leydson Gabriel Alves de Lima
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado Direto