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ABSTRACT: Background
Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is a popular cultivated fruit crop with high economic value in China. Apple floral transition is an important process but liable to be affected by various environmental factors. The 14-3-3 proteins are involved in regulating diverse biological processes in plants, and some 14-3-3 members play vital roles in flowering. However, little information was available about the 14-3-3 members in apple.Results
In the current study, we identified eighteen 14-3-3 gene family members from the apple genome database, designated MdGF14a to MdGF14r. The isoforms possess a conserved core region comprising nine antiparallel ?-helices and divergent N and C termini. According to their structural and phylogenetic features, Md14-3-3 proteins could be classified into two major evolutionary branches, the epsilon (?) group and the non-epsilon (non-?) group. Moreover, expression profiles derived from transcriptome data and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR analysis showed diverse expression patterns of Md14-3-3 genes in various tissues and in response to different sugars and hormone treatments during the floral transition phase. Four Md14-3-3 isoforms (MdGF14a, MdGF14d, MdGF14i, and MdGF14j) exhibiting prominent transcriptional responses to sugars and hormones were selected for further investigation. Furthermore, yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation experiments showed that the four Md14-3-3 proteins interact with key floral integrators, MdTFL1 (TERMINAL FLOWER1) and MdFT (FLOWERING LOCUS T). Subcellular localization of four selected Md14-3-3 proteins demonstrated their localization in both the cytoplasm and nucleus.Conclusion
We identified the Md14-3-3?s family in apple comprehensively. Certain Md14-3-3 genes are expressed predominantly during the apple floral transition stage, and may participate in the regulation of flowering through association with flower control genes. Our results provide a preliminary framework for further investigation into the roles of Md14-3-3?s in floral transition.
SUBMITTER: Zuo X
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7796649 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Zuo Xiya X Wang Shixiang S Xiang Wen W Yang Huiru H Tahir Muhammad Mobeen MM Zheng Shangong S An Na N Han Mingyu M Zhao Caiping C Zhang Dong D Zhang Dong D
BMC genomics 20210108 1
<h4>Background</h4>Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is a popular cultivated fruit crop with high economic value in China. Apple floral transition is an important process but liable to be affected by various environmental factors. The 14-3-3 proteins are involved in regulating diverse biological processes in plants, and some 14-3-3 members play vital roles in flowering. However, little information was available about the 14-3-3 members in apple.<h4>Results</h4>In the current study, we identified ei ...[more]