Genome-Wide Analysis and Screening of Uridine Diphosphate-Glycosyltransferase Family Genes Involved in Lignin/Flavonoid Glycosylation and Stress Response in (L.) Gaudich.

Lignins and flavonoids, which are derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway and share common precursors, play an important role in (ramie). Uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are essential for the glycosylation of secondary metabolites and are involved in plant growth and stress responses. Hence, this study aimed to screen candidate related to lignin/flavonoid glycosylation and stress responses. A total of 84 s were identified, and all s contain a conserved PGPS domain. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that 10, 5, 1, and 1 putative s might be associated with lignin glycosylation, flavonoid glycosylation, and adverse stress, respectively. Further analysis showed that expression was upregulated and showed a significant positive correlation with lignin content in the phloem and leaf, reaching up to 710 in the xylem after 75 days of germination. expression (in the leaf and xylem) and expression (in the xylem) were upregulated and showed a significant positive correlation with lignin and flavonoid content. In the phloem, expression was downregulated and showed a significant negative correlation with lignin content. expression was upregulated in the stem and leaf under Cd treatment. Overall, we successfully identified four candidate (, , and ); these findings provide insight into the glycosylation mechanisms of lignins and flavonoids and stress responses in ramie.