Comprehensive Analysis of β-1,3-Glucanase Genes in Wolfberry and Their Implications in Pollen Development.

β-1,3-Glucanases (Glu) are key enzymes involved in plant defense and physiological processes through the hydrolysis of β-1,3-glucans. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the β-1,3-glucanase gene family in wolfberry (), including their chromosomal distribution, evolutionary relationships, and expression profiles. A total of 58 genes were identified, distributed across all 12 chromosomes. Evolutionary analysis revealed six distinct branches within wolfberry and nine distinct branches when compared with . Expression analysis showed that 45 genes were expressed in berries, with specific genes also being expressed in flowers and leaves. Notably, exhibited significant expression during the tetrad stage of pollen development and was localized in the cell wall. These findings provide valuable insights into the functional significance of genes in wolfberry, highlighting their roles in development and their potential involvement in reproductive processes, particularly in pollen development.