Characterization of <i>4-Coumarate-CoA Ligase</i> (<i>4CL)</i> Genes in Wheat Uncovers <i>Ta4CL91</i>’s Role in Drought and Salt Stress Adaptation
During the growth process, wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) is frequently subjected to abiotic stress. However, the mechanisms of abiotic stress in wheat are not yet well understood. In other crops, 4-coumarate-CoA ligases (4CLs) have been found to be involved in abiotic stress respon...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Ze Zhang Xiuli Yang Dongxian Ning Rong Li |
| author_facet | Ze Zhang Xiuli Yang Dongxian Ning Rong Li |
| author_sort | Ze Zhang |
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| description | During the growth process, wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) is frequently subjected to abiotic stress. However, the mechanisms of abiotic stress in wheat are not yet well understood. In other crops, 4-coumarate-CoA ligases (4CLs) have been found to be involved in abiotic stress responses, but a systematic analysis of the response of <i>4CLs</i> to abiotic stress in wheat has not yet been conducted. Through a comprehensive genome-wide analysis, we identified 110 putative <i>4CL</i> genes in wheat. These genes were phylogenetically divided into distinct groups, with the authentic <i>4CLs</i> forming a separate branch and <i>4CL-like</i> genes being further categorized into six subgroups. Each clade exhibited conserved gene structures and motif compositions. Promoter analysis identified a variety of stress-responsive cis-regulatory elements within <i>Ta4CL</i> genes, indicating their potential involvement in stress regulation mechanisms. Expression profiling under drought and salt stress conditions identified specific <i>4CL</i> genes linked to stress tolerance. Notably, <i>Ta4CL91</i>, a member of the 4CL clade, showed strong dual responsiveness to both drought and salt stresses. Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), we suppressed <i>Ta4CL91</i> expression and observed that the <i>Ta4CL91</i>-silenced plants became more sensitive to drought and salt stresses, highlighting <i>Ta4CL91</i>’s critical role in stress adaptation in wheat. This comprehensive study not only expands our understanding of the <i>4CL</i> gene family in wheat but also highlights the critical involvement of specific <i>4CL</i> members, such as <i>Ta4CL91</i>, in mediating this plant’s resistance to abiotic stresses. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-53eb03fb0a6d447482e31c881459c2702025-08-20T03:53:01ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-04-01149130110.3390/plants14091301Characterization of <i>4-Coumarate-CoA Ligase</i> (<i>4CL)</i> Genes in Wheat Uncovers <i>Ta4CL91</i>’s Role in Drought and Salt Stress AdaptationZe Zhang0Xiuli Yang1Dongxian Ning2Rong Li3Institute of Wheat Research, Shanxi Agricultural University, Linfen 041000, ChinaInstitute of Wheat Research, Shanxi Agricultural University, Linfen 041000, ChinaInstitute of Wheat Research, Shanxi Agricultural University, Linfen 041000, ChinaInstitute of Wheat Research, Shanxi Agricultural University, Linfen 041000, ChinaDuring the growth process, wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) is frequently subjected to abiotic stress. However, the mechanisms of abiotic stress in wheat are not yet well understood. In other crops, 4-coumarate-CoA ligases (4CLs) have been found to be involved in abiotic stress responses, but a systematic analysis of the response of <i>4CLs</i> to abiotic stress in wheat has not yet been conducted. Through a comprehensive genome-wide analysis, we identified 110 putative <i>4CL</i> genes in wheat. These genes were phylogenetically divided into distinct groups, with the authentic <i>4CLs</i> forming a separate branch and <i>4CL-like</i> genes being further categorized into six subgroups. Each clade exhibited conserved gene structures and motif compositions. Promoter analysis identified a variety of stress-responsive cis-regulatory elements within <i>Ta4CL</i> genes, indicating their potential involvement in stress regulation mechanisms. Expression profiling under drought and salt stress conditions identified specific <i>4CL</i> genes linked to stress tolerance. Notably, <i>Ta4CL91</i>, a member of the 4CL clade, showed strong dual responsiveness to both drought and salt stresses. Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), we suppressed <i>Ta4CL91</i> expression and observed that the <i>Ta4CL91</i>-silenced plants became more sensitive to drought and salt stresses, highlighting <i>Ta4CL91</i>’s critical role in stress adaptation in wheat. This comprehensive study not only expands our understanding of the <i>4CL</i> gene family in wheat but also highlights the critical involvement of specific <i>4CL</i> members, such as <i>Ta4CL91</i>, in mediating this plant’s resistance to abiotic stresses.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/9/1301wheat4CLVIGSabiotic stress |
| spellingShingle | Ze Zhang Xiuli Yang Dongxian Ning Rong Li Characterization of <i>4-Coumarate-CoA Ligase</i> (<i>4CL)</i> Genes in Wheat Uncovers <i>Ta4CL91</i>’s Role in Drought and Salt Stress Adaptation Plants wheat 4CL VIGS abiotic stress |
| title | Characterization of <i>4-Coumarate-CoA Ligase</i> (<i>4CL)</i> Genes in Wheat Uncovers <i>Ta4CL91</i>’s Role in Drought and Salt Stress Adaptation |
| title_full | Characterization of <i>4-Coumarate-CoA Ligase</i> (<i>4CL)</i> Genes in Wheat Uncovers <i>Ta4CL91</i>’s Role in Drought and Salt Stress Adaptation |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of <i>4-Coumarate-CoA Ligase</i> (<i>4CL)</i> Genes in Wheat Uncovers <i>Ta4CL91</i>’s Role in Drought and Salt Stress Adaptation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of <i>4-Coumarate-CoA Ligase</i> (<i>4CL)</i> Genes in Wheat Uncovers <i>Ta4CL91</i>’s Role in Drought and Salt Stress Adaptation |
| title_short | Characterization of <i>4-Coumarate-CoA Ligase</i> (<i>4CL)</i> Genes in Wheat Uncovers <i>Ta4CL91</i>’s Role in Drought and Salt Stress Adaptation |
| title_sort | characterization of i 4 coumarate coa ligase i i 4cl i genes in wheat uncovers i ta4cl91 i s role in drought and salt stress adaptation |
| topic | wheat 4CL VIGS abiotic stress |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/9/1301 |
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