甜瓜CmEPF基因家族的鉴定及表达分析

Identification and Expression Analysis of Epidermal Patterning Factor(EPF)Genes in Cucumis melo

【目的】表皮模式因子(epidermal patterning factor,EPF)是一类植物特有的分泌蛋白,在植物生长发育特别是气孔形态建成过程中发挥着重要作用,旨为揭示甜瓜EPF基因的特性和功能。【方法】对甜瓜CmEPF基因家族进行基因组鉴定,利用生物信息学手段对其基因结构、系统进化以及组织表达特性进行分析。【结果】甜瓜基因组存在11个可分为3个亚家族的CmEPF成员,它们的基因结构相对保守,含有1-3个内含子,且大都分布于甜瓜的叶绿体上;基于系统进化分析将其分为3个亚家族。不同器官RT-qPCR分析发现,CmEPFs基因在甜瓜器官中广泛表达,但不同家族成员在不同器官中的表达模式存在差异,其在第二片叶表达量较高,且气孔密度、光合速率和蒸腾速率最高,其表达量与光合参数和气孔密度显著相关。【结论】CmEPFs基因通过影响甜瓜的气孔密度,影响其光合作用,从而调控甜瓜叶片气孔对外界环境的响应。

【Objective】Epidermal patterning factor(EPF)is a unique secreted protein found in plants that plays a crucial role in plant growth and development,particularly in stomatal morphogenesis.The aims of this study was to gain insights into the characteristics and functions of the EPF gene in melon.【Method】We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the entire CmEPF family,including gene structure,phylogeny,and tissue expression,using bioinformatics tools.【Result】Our findings revealed that the melon genome contained 11 members of the CmEPF family,which can be classified into three subfamilies.The gene structure of CmEPF was found to be relatively conserved,typically consisting of 1-3 introns,with most genes located in the melon chloroplast.Phylogenetic analysis further confirmed the division of CmEPF into three subfamilies.By performing RT-qPCR analysis on various organs,we observed widespread expression of the CmEPF gene in melon,albeit with different expression patterns among family members in different organs.Notably,the CmEPF gene had high expression in the second leaf,which was correlated with the highest stomatal density,photosynthetic rate,and transpiration rate.These results suggest that the expression level of CmEPF is closely associated with photosynthetic parameters and photosynthesis.【Conclusion】Our findings provide evidence that the CmEPF gene can affect stomatal density in melon,thereby affecting photosynthesis and regulating stomatal response to the external environment in melon leaves.