The sucrose synthase gene family in blueberry (): functional insights into the role of in salt stress tolerance.

INTRODUCTION

The sucrose synthase (SUS), a crucial enzyme in the sucrose metabolism, is encoded by a multigene family in plant kingdom.

METHODS

In our study, we utilized bioinformatics tools to identify and characterize the members of the gene family within the blueberry genome. Our analysis encompassed the physicochemical properties, gene structures, conserved motifs, promoter -acting elements, chromosomal locations, evolutionary relationships and expression profiles of these family members, allowing us to predict their potential functions.

RESULTS

We identified seven distinct genes, mapped across six chromosomes, showcasing the complexity of this gene family in blueberries. Phylogenetic analysis, constructed through a multi-species phylogenetic tree, revealed that the gene family can be categorized into three subfamilies: SUS I, SUS II and SUS III. Notable variations were observed among the gene family members, particularly in the number of amino acids, molecular weight, isoelectric point, and hydrophobicity of the encoded proteins. Intriguingly, our predictive analysis of the promoter regions of genes uncovered a wealth of cis-acting elements linked to light response, hormonal regulation, and stress responses, suggesting a role in adaptive mechanisms. Expression studies indicated that genes were highly expressed in fruit tissues, with the application of exogenous sucrose leading to significant downregulation of and . Furthermore, the expression of VdSUS genes was found to be responsive to abiotic stresses, such as salt, drought, and low temperatures, with varying degrees of upregulation or downregulation observed. Most notably, the overexpression of in resulted in enhanced tolerance to salt stress.

DISCUSSION

These findings have shed new light on the multifaceted roles of gene family members in the complex physiological processes of blueberries, highlighting their potential in the context of stress adaptation and fruit development.