Evolution and expression analysis reveal the potential role of the HD-Zip gene family in regulation of embryo abortion in grapes (Vitis vinifera L.)

• Published in: BMC genomics Vol. 18; no. 1; p. 744
• Main Authors: Li, Zhiqian, Zhang, Chen, Guo, Yurui, Niu, Weili, Wang, Yuejin, Xu, Yan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 21.09.2017; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Abortion; Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; Arabidopsis; Cell Nucleus - metabolism; Conserved Sequence; Divergence; embryo abortion; Embryonic development; Embryonic growth stage; Embryos; Evolution, Molecular; Fruits; Functional analysis; Gene expression; Gene Expression Profiling; Genes; Genetic aspects; Genomes; Genomics; Grapes; Growth; HD-Zip; Homeobox; Localization; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Organ Specificity; Organs; Ovules; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Physiological aspects; Plant Proteins - chemistry; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Promoter Regions, Genetic - genetics; seedless grape; Seeds - genetics; Somatic embryogenesis; Transcription factors; Transcription, Genetic; Vitis - cytology; Vitis - genetics; Vitis - growth & development; Vitis vinifera; China; United States > US; HD-Zip; Homeobox; Vitis vinifera; embryo abortion; seedless grape
• ISSN: 1471-2164; 1471-2164
• DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4110-y

The HD-Zip family has a diversity of functions during plant development. In this study, we identify 33 HD-Zip transcription factors in grape and detect their expressions in ovules and somatic embryos, as well as in various vegetative organs. A genome-wide survey for HD-Zip transcription factors in Vitis was conducted based on the 12 X grape genome (V. vinifera L.). A total of 33 members were identified and classified into four subfamilies (I-IV) based on phylogeny analysis with Arabidopsis, rice and maize. VvHDZs in the same subfamily have similar protein motifs and intron/exon structures. An evaluation of duplication events suggests several HD-Zip genes arose before the divergence of the grape and Arabidopsis lineages. The 33 members of HD-Zip were differentially expressed in ovules of the stenospermic grape, Thompson Seedless and of the seeded grape, Pinot noir. Most have higher expressions during ovule abortion in Thompson Seedless. In addition, transcripts of the HD-Zip family were also detected in somatic embryogenesis of Thompson Seedless and in different vegetative organs of Thompson Seedless at varying levels. Additionally, VvHDZ28 is located in the nucleus and had transcriptional activity consistent with the typical features of the HD-Zip family. Our results provide a foundation for future grape HD-Zip gene function research. The identification and expression profiles of the HD-Zip transcription factors in grape, reveal their diverse roles during ovule abortion and organ development. Our results lay a foundation for functional analysis of grape HDZ genes.