Genome-Wide Characterization and Analysis of bHLH Transcription Factors Related to Crocin Biosynthesis in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

Crocins, enriched in Gardenia jasminoides fruits, have a pharmacological activity against central nervous system diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer cell growth. The biosynthesis of crocins has been widely explored, but its regulatory mechanism remains unknown. Here, the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors related to crocin biosynthesis were systematically identified on the basis of the genome of G. jasminoides. A total of 95 GjbHLH transcription factor genes were identified, and their phylogenetic analysis indicated that they could be classified into 23 subfamilies. The combination of gene-specific bHLH expression patterns, the coexpression analysis of biosynthesis genes, and the analysis of promoter sequences in crocin biosynthesis pathways suggested that nine bHLHs in G. jasminoides might negatively regulate crocin biosynthesis. This study laid a foundation for understanding the regulatory mechanism of crocin biosynthesis and the improvement and breeding of G. jasminoides varieties.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of MYC Transcription Factor Family Genes in Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)

“…The bHLH TFs participate in various biological processes, such as plant fertility [23]; anthocyanin accumulation [24]; leaf senescence [25]; and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses [26]. Although the bHLH gene family has been widely identified in different plant species, such as 147 bHLHs in Arabidopsis [27], 183, 231 and 571 bHLHs in rice, maize and wheat, respectively [28], 94 VvbHLHs in grape [29], 95 GjbHLHs in Gardenia jasminoides [30], and 85 GbbHLHs in Ginkgo biloba [31], the genome-wide identification of the MYC gene family is limited, including 27 TaMYCs in wheat (Chinese Spring) [19]; 26 TaMYCs in the wheat genome [32]; and 23 SsMYCs in Saccharum spontaneum [20]. Here, 32 HblMYCs were genome-wide identified in the rubber tree.…”

Genome-wide analysis of bHLH57 and functional identification of the involvement of BcbHLH57 in abiotic stress in wucai (Brassica campestris L.)

“…QRT-PCR analysis showed that BcbHLH57 was upregulated at low and high temperatures at 24 h. These results suggest that bHLH57 mediate the physiological regulation process of hormone regulation against abiotic stress in wucai. BHLH57 was an important gene involved in seed germination and is involved in ABA mediate regulation of seed dormancy (Tian et al 2020). BHLH57 positively regulate seed dormancy by inducing the expression of genes encoding ABA biological synthase (NCED6 and NCED9) (Alam et al 2019).…”

Genome-Wide Characterization and Analysis of bHLH Transcription Factors Related to Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Cinnamomum camphora (‘Gantong 1’)

“…The C-terminal HLH domain contributes to the specificity of transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes [ 14 ]. So far, various numbers of bHLH TFs have been identified in different species, including 162 in Arabidopsis thaliana , 183 in Populus trichocarpa , 197 in Pyrus bretschneideri , 115 in Vitis davidii , 91 in Liriodendron chinense , 134 in Camellia sinensis , 118 in Ficus carica , and 95 in Gardenia jasminoides , respectively [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Most bHLH TF family studies focus on anthocyanin biosynthesis.…”