Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of MYB Transcription Factors and Their Responses to Abiotic Stresses in Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

Abstract

Woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is a diploid strawberry that is widely used as a model of cultivated octoploid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa). It has also been used as a model for Rosaceae fruits, non-climacteric fruits, and stolons. The MYB superfamily is the largest transcription factor family in plants, and its members play important roles in plant growth and development. However, the complete MYB superfamily in woodland strawberry has not been studied. In this study, a total of 217 MYB genes were identified in woodland strawberry and classified into four groups: one 4R-MYB protein, five 3R-MYB proteins, 113 2R-MYB proteins, and 98 1R-MYB proteins. The phylogenetic relationship of each MYB subgroup was consistent in terms of intron/exon structure and conserved motif composition. The MYB genes in woodland strawberry underwent loss and expansion events during evolution. The transcriptome data revealed that most FveMYB genes are expressed in several organs, whereas 15 FveMYB genes exhibit organ-specific expression, including five genes (FveMYB101, -112, -44, and -8; FveMYB1R81) in roots, two genes (FveMYB62 and -77) in stolon tips, three genes (FveMYB99 and -35; FveMYB1R96) in open flowers, and five genes (FveMYB76 and -100; FveMYB1R4, -5, and -86) in immature fruits. During fruit ripening of woodland strawberry, the expression levels of 84 FveMYB genes were decreased, of which five genes (FveMYB4, -22, -50, and -66; FveMYB1R57) decreased more than 10-fold, whereas those 18 FveMYB genes were increased, especially FveMYB10 and FveMYB74 increased more than 30-fold. In addition, the expression levels of 36, 68, 52, and 62 FveMYB genes were altered by gibberellic acid, abscisic acid, cold, and heat treatments, respectively, and among them, several genes exhibited similar expression patterns for multiple treatments, suggesting possible roles in the crosstalk of multiple signaling pathways. This study provides candidate genes for the study of stolon formation, fruit development and ripening, and abiotic stress responses.

DNA methylation dynamics during stress response in woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

“…However, in salt stress FvHSFB1a and FvHSB3 were up regulated without being associated with a DMR. Similarly, in F. vesca, 61 WRKY and 217 MYB genes have been identified [ 35 , 43 , 44 ] and described to be differentially expressed under abiotic stress conditions. Here, as part of the DEGs analyzed, we found 16 WRKY genes to be up regulated by heat stress and 9 of which contained DMRs ( Fig.…”

“…However, little is known about how these responses are directly influenced by changes in DNA methylation or vice versa . Transcription factor families such as AP2/EREBP , WRKY , MYB , HSFs play important roles in response to abiotic stresses in plants [ 41 , 44 , 75 ]. To illustrate, in Populus thricocarpa, 1156 TFs (including MYB, AP2, WRKY, NAC, and bHLH) showed loss of methylation and changes in expression after drought stress [ 76 ].…”

“…At the same time, in soybean WRKY genes were highly induced under salt stress conditions [ 82 ]. Concerning MYB TFs, it has previously been reported that they can be regulated by gibberellic acid, abscisic acid, cold, and heat treatments in F. vesca [ 44 ]. Markedly, differentially expressed MYB TFs were affected in another way at the epigenetic level.…”

Analysis of Methylesterase Gene Family in Fragaria vesca Unveils Novel Insights into the Role of FvMES2 in Methyl Salicylate-Mediated Resistance against Strawberry Gray Mold

“…In the promoter region of FvMES genes, several CAEs, including STRE, ARE, MYB (MYB, MYB-like, and MBS), and WRKY (W-box), have been identified. Previous literatures had shown that these CAEs are responsive to abiotic stresses, including drought, gibberellic acid (GA), and abscisic acid (ABA) in various plant species. , Moreover, the analysis revealed the presence of several binding site sequences for TFs associated with plant defense, such as ERF, MYB, and Dof, in many promoter regions of FvMES. The discovery implies that FvMES might play a vital part in plants’ response to environmental stress.…”

Transcriptional Regulation of Cold Stress Tolerance in Plants. Present Status and Future Prospects

“…Under cold stress, myeloblastosis (MYB) TF acts as chief regulon of cold stress.In several studies, the MYB gene have been identi ed such is inArabidopsis thaliana[89], Oryza sativa [90], Triticum aestivum [91], Brassica napus [92], Medicago truncatula [93], Glycine max [94], Jatrophacurcas [95,96], Beta vulgaris [97], Brachypodiumdistachyon[98], Musa acuminata [99], Solanum lycopersicum [100], Gossypium hirsutum [101]and Fragaria vesca [102]. For example, in rice, OsMYB4 has been shown to improve cold and drought resistance in transgenic Arabidopsis, tomato, and apple [103,104].…”