Genome-Wide Characterization of <i>9-Cis-Epoxycarotenoid Dioxygenase</i> Genes in Luffa Identifies <i>LcNCED2</i> as Being Associated with ABA Levels During Seed Germination
<i>Luffa</i> is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the Cucurbitaceae family, recognized as an important cultivated commercial vegetable. However, the seeds of the luffa species are considered hard-seeded, and the processes governing seed germination remain understudied. The <...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Pingping Fang Xifeng Li Haoxin Mu Jing Wei Ting Zhang Xueyan Wang Qinwei Guo Qunfeng Lou |
| author_facet | Pingping Fang Xifeng Li Haoxin Mu Jing Wei Ting Zhang Xueyan Wang Qinwei Guo Qunfeng Lou |
| author_sort | Pingping Fang |
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| description | <i>Luffa</i> is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the Cucurbitaceae family, recognized as an important cultivated commercial vegetable. However, the seeds of the luffa species are considered hard-seeded, and the processes governing seed germination remain understudied. The <i>9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase</i> (<i>NCED</i>) genes, which are critical for seed germination, have not been well characterized in Luffa. In this study, we identified four <i>LaNCED</i> genes in <i>Luffa acutangula</i> and four <i>LcNCED</i> genes in <i>Luffa cylindrica</i>, distributed across four chromosomes in each species. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into two subgroups. Gene structure and motif composition analyses revealed both similarities and differences among the <i>NCED</i>s. <i>Cis</i>-element analysis further revealed that these <i>NCED</i>s may be involved in growth regulation by modulating the phytohormonal network and responding to stress stimuli. Expression profiling of <i>LcNCED</i> genes during seed germination showed a decrease in <i>LcNCED2</i> levels, coinciding with an increase in α-amylase activity throughout the germination process. Subcellular localization assays demonstrated that <i>LcNCED2</i> is localized in the chloroplast. Furthermore, transient overexpression of <i>LcNCED2</i> in tobacco leaves led to a significant increase in ABA content. Our findings provide a comprehensive genomic characterization of the <i>NCED</i> family in Luffa cylindrica and <i>Luffa acutangula</i> and reveal the functional role of <i>LcNCED2</i> in regulating ABA levels, which may play a critical role in seed germination. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | Horticulturae |
| spelling | doaj-art-72dd986accc949b8b8319f4d45a129b02025-08-20T03:12:02ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-01-0111211510.3390/horticulturae11020115Genome-Wide Characterization of <i>9-Cis-Epoxycarotenoid Dioxygenase</i> Genes in Luffa Identifies <i>LcNCED2</i> as Being Associated with ABA Levels During Seed GerminationPingping Fang0Xifeng Li1Haoxin Mu2Jing Wei3Ting Zhang4Xueyan Wang5Qinwei Guo6Qunfeng Lou7Quzhou Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Crop, Quzhou Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Quzhou 324000, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaQuzhou Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Crop, Quzhou Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Quzhou 324000, ChinaQuzhou Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Crop, Quzhou Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Quzhou 324000, ChinaQuzhou Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Crop, Quzhou Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Quzhou 324000, ChinaQuzhou Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Crop, Quzhou Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Quzhou 324000, ChinaCollege of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China<i>Luffa</i> is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the Cucurbitaceae family, recognized as an important cultivated commercial vegetable. However, the seeds of the luffa species are considered hard-seeded, and the processes governing seed germination remain understudied. The <i>9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase</i> (<i>NCED</i>) genes, which are critical for seed germination, have not been well characterized in Luffa. In this study, we identified four <i>LaNCED</i> genes in <i>Luffa acutangula</i> and four <i>LcNCED</i> genes in <i>Luffa cylindrica</i>, distributed across four chromosomes in each species. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into two subgroups. Gene structure and motif composition analyses revealed both similarities and differences among the <i>NCED</i>s. <i>Cis</i>-element analysis further revealed that these <i>NCED</i>s may be involved in growth regulation by modulating the phytohormonal network and responding to stress stimuli. Expression profiling of <i>LcNCED</i> genes during seed germination showed a decrease in <i>LcNCED2</i> levels, coinciding with an increase in α-amylase activity throughout the germination process. Subcellular localization assays demonstrated that <i>LcNCED2</i> is localized in the chloroplast. Furthermore, transient overexpression of <i>LcNCED2</i> in tobacco leaves led to a significant increase in ABA content. Our findings provide a comprehensive genomic characterization of the <i>NCED</i> family in Luffa cylindrica and <i>Luffa acutangula</i> and reveal the functional role of <i>LcNCED2</i> in regulating ABA levels, which may play a critical role in seed germination.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/2/115luffa9-<i>cis</i>-<i>epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase</i><i>LcNCED2</i>germinationABA |
| spellingShingle | Pingping Fang Xifeng Li Haoxin Mu Jing Wei Ting Zhang Xueyan Wang Qinwei Guo Qunfeng Lou Genome-Wide Characterization of <i>9-Cis-Epoxycarotenoid Dioxygenase</i> Genes in Luffa Identifies <i>LcNCED2</i> as Being Associated with ABA Levels During Seed Germination Horticulturae luffa 9-<i>cis</i>-<i>epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase</i> <i>LcNCED2</i> germination ABA |
| title | Genome-Wide Characterization of <i>9-Cis-Epoxycarotenoid Dioxygenase</i> Genes in Luffa Identifies <i>LcNCED2</i> as Being Associated with ABA Levels During Seed Germination |
| title_full | Genome-Wide Characterization of <i>9-Cis-Epoxycarotenoid Dioxygenase</i> Genes in Luffa Identifies <i>LcNCED2</i> as Being Associated with ABA Levels During Seed Germination |
| title_fullStr | Genome-Wide Characterization of <i>9-Cis-Epoxycarotenoid Dioxygenase</i> Genes in Luffa Identifies <i>LcNCED2</i> as Being Associated with ABA Levels During Seed Germination |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genome-Wide Characterization of <i>9-Cis-Epoxycarotenoid Dioxygenase</i> Genes in Luffa Identifies <i>LcNCED2</i> as Being Associated with ABA Levels During Seed Germination |
| title_short | Genome-Wide Characterization of <i>9-Cis-Epoxycarotenoid Dioxygenase</i> Genes in Luffa Identifies <i>LcNCED2</i> as Being Associated with ABA Levels During Seed Germination |
| title_sort | genome wide characterization of i 9 cis epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase i genes in luffa identifies i lcnced2 i as being associated with aba levels during seed germination |
| topic | luffa 9-<i>cis</i>-<i>epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase</i> <i>LcNCED2</i> germination ABA |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/2/115 |
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