Zhao Lei, Chen Panfei, Liu Peng, Song Yuepeng, Zhang Deqiang
Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
Front Plant Sci. 2021 May 13;12:661635. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.661635. eCollection 2021.
Nitrate is an important source of nitrogen for poplar trees. The nitrate transporter () gene family is generally responsible for nitrate absorption and distribution. However, few analyses of the genetic effects and expression patterns of family members have been conducted in woody plants. Here, using poplar as a model, we identified and characterized 98 members of the gene family. We calculated the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships of the family and identified poplar-specific genes and their expression patterns. To construct a core triple genetic network (association - gene expression - phenotype) for leaf nitrogen content, a candidate gene family association study, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and mapping of expression quantitative trait nucleotides (eQTNs) were combined, using data from 435 unrelated . individuals. genes exhibited distinct expression patterns between twelve tissues, circadian rhythm points, and stress responses. The association study showed that genotype combinations of allelic variations of three genes had a strong effect on leaf nitrogen content. WGCNA produced two co-expression modules containing genes. We also found that four genes defined thousands of eQTL signals. WGCNA and eQTL provided comprehensive analysis of poplar nitrogen-related regulatory factors, including MYB17 and WRKY21. genes were found to be regulated by five plant hormones, among which abscisic acid was the main regulator. Our study provides new insights into the gene family in poplar and enables the exploitation of novel genetic factors to improve the nitrate use efficiency of trees.
硝酸盐是杨树重要的氮源。硝酸盐转运蛋白（）基因家族通常负责硝酸盐的吸收和分配。然而，在木本植物中，对该基因家族成员的遗传效应和表达模式的分析较少。在这里，我们以杨树为模型，鉴定并表征了该基因家族的98个成员。我们计算了该基因家族的系统发育和进化关系，鉴定了杨树特有的基因及其表达模式。为构建叶片氮含量的核心三重遗传网络（关联-基因表达-表型），我们结合了候选基因家族关联研究、加权基因共表达网络分析（WGCNA）和表达数量性状核苷酸（eQTN）定位，使用了来自435个无亲缘关系的个体的数据。该基因在12种组织、昼夜节律点和应激反应之间表现出不同的表达模式。关联研究表明，三个该基因的等位基因变异的基因型组合对叶片氮含量有很强的影响。WGCNA产生了两个包含该基因的共表达模块。我们还发现，四个该基因定义了数千个eQTL信号。WGCNA和eQTL提供了对杨树氮相关调控因子的综合分析，包括MYB17和WRKY21。该基因被发现受五种植物激素调控，其中脱落酸是主要调控因子。我们的研究为杨树中的该基因家族提供了新的见解，并有助于开发新的遗传因子以提高树木的硝酸盐利用效率。
