29 Moso bamboo VQ proteins were genome-wide identified for the first time, and bioinformatics analysis was performed to investigate phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary divergence. The qRT-PCR data show that PeVQ genes response to different stress treatments. Accumulating evidence suggests that VQ motif-containing proteins in rice (Oryza sativa), Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), and maize (Zea mays) play fundamental roles in response to various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little is known about the functions of VQ family proteins in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis). In this study, we performed a genome-wide bioinformatic analysis and expression profiling of PeVQ genes. A total of 29 VQ genes was identified and divided into seven subgroups (I-VII) based on phylogenetic analysis. Gene structure and conserved motif analysis revealed that 25 of 29 VQ genes contained no introns. Multiple sequence alignment showed that Moso bamboo VQ motif-containing proteins contained five variations of the conserved motif. The time of duplication and divergence of Moso bamboo from rice and maize was calculated using K analysis. A heat map was generated using microarray data from 29 Moso bamboo VQ genes suggesting that these genes were expressed in different tissues or developmental stages. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and promoter analysis indicated that PeVQ genes were differentially regulated following treatment with polyethylene glycol, abscisic acid and salicylic acid. Our results provide a solid foundation for further research of the specific functions of VQ motif-containing proteins in Moso bamboo.

TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1, CYCLOIDEA, and PROLIFERATING CELL FACTORS (T), members of a plant-specific gene family, play significant roles during plant growth and development, as well as in response to environmental stress. However, knowledge about this family in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) is limited. Therefore, in this study, the first genome-wide identification, classification, characterization, and expression pattern analysis of the TCP transcription factor family in moso bamboo was performed. Sixteen TCP members were identified from the moso bamboo genome using a BLASTP algorithm-based method and verified using the Pfam database. Based on a multiple-sequence alignment, the members were divided into two subfamilies, and members of the same family shared highly conserved motif structures. Subcellular localization and transactivation activity analyses of four selected genes revealed that they were nuclear localized and had self-activation activities. Additionally, the expression levels of several PeTCP members were significantly upregulated under abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, and salicylic acid treatments, indicating that they play crucial plant hormone transduction roles in the processes of plant growth and development, as well as in responses to environmental stresses. Thus, the current study provides previously lacking information on the TCP family in moso bamboo and reveals the potential functions of this gene family in growth and development.

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In the past few years, many studies have reported that the transcription factor Nuclear Factor Y (NF‐Y) gene family plays important roles in embryonic development, photosynthesis, flowering time regulation and stress response, in various plants. Although the NF‐Y gene family has been systematically studied in many species, little is known about NF‐Y genes in Populus. In this study, the NF‐Y gene family in the Populus genome was identified and its structural characteristics were described. Fifty‐two NF‐Y genes were authenticated in the Populus trichocarpa genome and categorized into three subfamilies (NF‐YA/B/C) by phylogenetic analysis. Chromosomal localization of these genes revealed that they were distributed randomly across 17 of the 19 chromosomes. Segmental duplication played a vital role in the amplification of Populus NF‐Y gene family. Moreover, microsynteny analysis indicated that, among Populus trichocarpa, Arabidopsis thaliana, Vitis vinifera and Carica papaya, NF‐Y duplicated regions were more conserved between Populus trichocarpa and Vitis vinifera. Redundant stress‐related cis‐elements were also found in the promoters of most 13 NF‐YA genes and their expression levels varied widely following drought, salt, ABA and cold treatments. Subcellular localization experiments in tobacco showed that PtNF‐YA3 was localized in nucleus and cytomembrane, while PtNF‐YA4 was only in the nucleus in tobacco. According to the transcriptional activity experiments, neither of them had transcriptional activity in yeast. In summary, a comprehensive analysis of the Populus NF‐Y gene family was performed to establish a theoretical basis for further functional studies on this family.

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