TITLE:
Genome-Wide Identification, Classification and Evolutionary Expansion of KNOX Gene Family in Rice (Oryza sativa) and Populus (Populustrichocarpa)
AUTHORS:
Haizheng Xiong, Ainong Shi, Dianxing Wu, Yuejin Weng, Jun Qin, Waltram Second Ravelombola, Xiaoli Shu, Wei Zhou
KEYWORDS:
KNOX Family, Evolutionary Expansion, Oryza sativa, Populustrichocarpa
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.9 No.6,
May
7,
2018
ABSTRACT: The KNOX gene family codes for transcriptional
regulators with a variety of functions in plant developmental and physiological
processes. In this study, a genome-wide comparative analysis of KNOX genes in Poplar
(Populustrichocarpa) and rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica) was
carried out. With comprehensive computational analyses, which take into account
the gene structures, phylogeny and conserved motifs, 15 and 13 KNOX genes in Poplar
and rice were identified, respectively. These KNOX genes were further divided
into 3 groups. The Poplar gene POPTR_0012s04040
and the rice genes LOC_Os03g47042 and LOC_Os03g47022 were classified to a
new group of KNOX genes without ahomeobox domain together with KNATM, which
were proposed to play potential role in plant development and pluripotency. The
identification of KNATM homolog in monocotyledons (rice) provided a strong
support for proposing an ancient shuffling of HOMEOBOX gene with MEINOX gene took place in the KNOX phylogeny. Using subcellular location information,
GO (gene ontology) and expression profile analysis, KNOX genes in rice and poplar
were proposed to function similarly to the members in Arabidopsis. Our observations
may lay the foundation for future functional analysis of KNOX genes in rice and
poplar to unravel their biological roles in cellular pluripotency.