Global Transcriptome Analysis and Identification of the Flowering Regulatory Genes Expressed in Leaves of Lagerstroemia indica

Abstract

Flowering time is an important trait for ornamental plants, and flowering regulation has thus been both a focus of and challenge to researchers. Lagerstroemia indica is an important summer flowering tree in China and has been introduced abroad as a key parent of new cultivars; no previous reports have addressed the regulation of flowering time in this species. In this study, 28,567,778 · 2 reads were obtained from leaves of L. indica. A total of 37,325 unigenes were assembled with an average length of 849.56 bp, and 17,506 (46.90%) unigenes were significantly matched to known genes in the nr database of GenBank. The annotated sequences were clustered into putative functional categories using the Gene Ontology framework. Potential genes and their functions were predicted by the Cluster of Orthologous Groups analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway mapping. A total of 115 unigenes related to flowering time control were discovered. Ten homologous genes of the CONSTANS-like (COL) gene family were identified based on transcript data. Phylogenetic analysis of the CONSTANS and COL genes from L. indica and other species grouped them into three clades. The transcriptome dataset and outcome of the analysis provide a valuable new resource for research on the functional genomics and molecular mechanisms of flowering control in L. indica.

Agronomic and Physiological Traits, and Associated Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Affecting Yield Response in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): A Review

“…Genes conditioning vernalization namely Vrn-A1, Vrn-B1, and Vrn-D1 regulate flowering and maturity in wheat (Iwaki et al, 2002). The effect of Vrn loci on heading and maturity, and grain yield potential are ranked as follows: Vrn-A1 < Vrn-B1 < Vrn- D1 (Zheng et al, 2013; Zhang et al, 2014; Ogbonnaya et al, 2017). This resulted in increased days to heading and grain yield under optimal environments, but decreased grain yield under heat prone environments (Zhang et al, 2008; Kamran et al, 2013b; Ogbonnaya et al, 2017).…”

“…Breeding strategies to replace the winter-type alleles, especially Vrn - A1 and Vrn - D1 loci associated with late heading times (Zhang et al, 2008), has been recommended to develop early-flowering cultivars for water-limited environments. Zhang et al (2014) reported that the genotypes possessing the Vrn-A1avrn-B1Vrn-D1a loci would result in reduced time to anthesis and improve grain yield potential and kernel number in water-stressed environments. Contrastingly, incorporation of Vrn-D1 is recommended in spring wheat to increase grain yield and improve adaptation to late drought and heat stress tolerance.…”

De novo transcriptome analysis in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and identification of critical genes involved in bolting and flowering

“…Recently, the advent of NGS-based RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of transcriptome has provided an opportunity for large-scale discovery and profiling of functional genes involved in diverse biological processes [ 18 , 19 ], such as floral scent biosynthesis in wintersweet [ 20 ], discovery of disease-resistance genes (NBS-LRR genes) in Camelina sativa [ 21 ], biosynthesis and accumulation of lignin in celery [ 22 ] and terpenoid biosynthesis in pitanga [ 23 ]. RNA-seq has also been used for the discovery of genes related to flowering time regulation and flower development in some plant species including bamboo [ 24 , 25 ], Eichhornia paniculata [ 26 ], Lagerstroemia indica [ 27 ], Ipomoea nil [ 28 ] and sweet potato [ 29 ]. However, genome-wide identification of flowering-related functional genes is still lacking in root vegetable crops.…”

Identification and Validation of SNP Markers Linked to Dwarf Traits Using SLAF-Seq Technology in Lagerstroemia

“…Dwarf crape myrtle cultivars are characterized by a low plant height, a compact plant type, short internodes and abundant mini flowers, and they have been selected for Lagerstroemia breeding programs [ 25 ]. To date, significant progress has been achieved with regard to new varietal breeding [ 26 – 28 ], germplasm evaluations [ 29 ], genetic diversity analyses [ 30 , 31 ], molecular marker development [ 32 , 33 ], genetic linkage map construction [ 34 ] and transcriptome analyses [ 35 , 36 ]. However, an in-depth study has not been conducted on the genetic mechanism underlying dwarf traits.…”