Zheng Huifang, Zheng Liumeng, Song Huiying, Yu Xiaobo
Southwest Research Center for Cross Breeding of Special Economic Plants, College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan, China.
Bamboo Diseases and Pest Control and Resources Development Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan, China.
BMC Genomics. 2025 May 2;26(1):436. doi: 10.1186/s12864-025-11617-7.
Aspartic proteases (APs), proteolytic enzymes involved in protein maturation, degradation, and signaling, are found in various organisms. The plant Epimedium pubescens is known for its pharmacologically active flavonoids and its use in traditional Chinese medicine. Despite this, to date, the AP gene family in this species has not been functionally analyzed. This study aimed to uncover the roles of AP genes in E. pubescens (EpAPs), focusing in particular on their involvement in light stress responses.
Genome-wide analysis identified and characterized a total of 103 EpAPs, which were categorized into four phylogenetic groups and revealed conserved motifs crucial for their catalytic function. Structural analysis highlighted the diversity of intron-exon arrangements and the predominant role of tandem duplication in gene expansion. Promoter analysis showed an enrichment of light-responsive elements, indicating potential involvement in light stress responses. Tissue-specific expression patterns revealed specialized roles in various organs, whereas several EpAPs exhibited stage-specific expression during the formation of abscission zones. The analysis of protein-protein interactions identified links to reproductive development, programmed cell death, and stress responses. Under light stress, selected AP genes exhibited dynamic changes in expression, with some showing transient upregulation or recovery phases, which suggests their involvement in short-term adaptation or sustained light stress responses.
This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of AP genes in E. pubescens, highlighting their potential roles in development and stress adaptation. The presence of light-responsive elements and changes in expression under light stress suggest that AP genes may serve as key regulators of environmental responses in this species. Further validation studies could inform strategies to improve light stress resistance in shade-adapted plants.
天冬氨酸蛋白酶（APs）是参与蛋白质成熟、降解和信号传导的蛋白水解酶，存在于多种生物体中。植物淫羊藿以其具有药理活性的黄酮类化合物及其在传统中药中的应用而闻名。尽管如此，迄今为止，该物种中的AP基因家族尚未进行功能分析。本研究旨在揭示淫羊藿中AP基因（EpAPs）的作用，特别关注它们在光胁迫响应中的参与情况。
全基因组分析共鉴定并表征了103个EpAPs，它们被分为四个系统发育组，并揭示了对其催化功能至关重要的保守基序。结构分析突出了内含子 - 外显子排列的多样性以及串联重复在基因扩展中的主要作用。启动子分析显示光响应元件富集，表明其可能参与光胁迫响应。组织特异性表达模式揭示了它们在各个器官中的特殊作用，而几个EpAPs在脱落区形成过程中表现出阶段特异性表达。蛋白质 - 蛋白质相互作用分析确定了与生殖发育、程序性细胞死亡和胁迫响应的联系。在光胁迫下，选定的AP基因表现出表达的动态变化，一些基因表现出瞬时上调或恢复阶段，这表明它们参与短期适应或持续的光胁迫响应。
本研究首次对淫羊藿中的AP基因进行了全面分析，突出了它们在发育和胁迫适应中的潜在作用。光响应元件的存在以及光胁迫下表达的变化表明，AP基因可能是该物种环境响应的关键调节因子。进一步的验证研究可为提高耐荫植物的光胁迫抗性策略提供参考。
