AUTHOR=Yao Shengli , Xie Meili , Hu Ming , Cui XiaoBo , Wu Haoming , Li Xiaohua , Hu Peng , Tong Chaobo , Yu Xiaoli 

TITLE=Genome-wide characterization of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme gene family explores its genetic effects on the oil content and yield of Brassica napus

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1118339

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1118339

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (UBC) is a critical part of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway and plays crucial roles in growth, development and abiotic stress response in plants. Although <italic>UBC</italic> genes have been detected in several plant species, characterization of this gene family at the whole-genome level has not been conducted in <italic>Brassica napus</italic>. In the present study, 200 putative <italic>BnUBCs</italic> were identified in <italic>B. napus</italic>, which were clustered into 18 subgroups based on phylogenetic analysis. <italic>BnUBC</italic>s within each subgroup showed relatively conserved gene architectures and motifs. Moreover, the gene expression patterns in various tissues as well as the identification of <italic>cis</italic>-acting regulatory elements in <italic>BnUBC</italic> promoters suggested further investigation of their potential functions in plant growth and development. Furthermore, three <italic>BnUBC</italic>s were predicted as candidate genes for regulating agronomic traits related to oil content and yield through association mapping. In conclusion, this study provided a wealth of information on the <italic>UBC</italic> family in <italic>B. napus</italic> and revealed their effects on oil content and yield, which will aid future functional research and genetic breeding of <italic>B. napus</italic>.</p>