AUTHOR=Luo Weirong , Zhao Zhenxiang , Chen Hongzhi , Ao Wenhong , Lu Lin , Liu Junjun , Li Xinzheng , Sun Yongdong 

TITLE=Genome-wide characterization and expression of DELLA genes in Cucurbita moschata reveal their potential roles under development and abiotic stress

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1137126

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1137126

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>DELLA</italic> gene family plays a key role in regulating plant development and responding to stress. Currently, many <italic>DELLA</italic> family members have been identified in plants, however, information on <italic>DELLA</italic> genes in pumpkin (<italic>Cucurbita moschata</italic>) is scarce. In this study, physical and chemical properties, gene structure <italic>cis</italic>-regulatory elements and expression of <italic>CmoDELLA</italic> genes were examined in pumpkin. We found that seven <italic>CmoDELLA</italic> genes were identified in pumpkin, and they were unevenly classified into five chromosomes. CmoDELLA proteins were relatively unstable and their secondary structures were mainly made up α-helix and random coil. All seven CmoDELLA proteins contained typical DELLA domain and GRAS domain, however, motif numbers between CmoDELLA proteins were unevenly distributed, implying the complex evolution and functional diversification of CmoDELLA proteins. <italic>Cis</italic>-regulatory elements analysis revealed that <italic>CmoDELLA</italic> genes might play an essential role in regulating plant growth and development, and response to stress in pumpkin. Transcriptome data in the roots, stems, leaves and fruits demonstrated that <italic>CmoDELLA2</italic>, <italic>CmoDELLA3</italic> and <italic>CmoDELLA7</italic> were related to the stems development, <italic>CmoDELLA1</italic>, <italic>CmoDELLA4</italic>, <italic>CmoDELLA5</italic> and <italic>CmoDELLA6</italic> were associated with the fruits development. Furthermore, we found that <italic>CmoDELLA1</italic> and <italic>CmoDELLA5</italic> were up-regulated under NaCl stress. <italic>CmoDELLA1</italic>, <italic>CmoDELLA2</italic>, <italic>CmoDELLA3</italic>, <italic>CmoDELLA5</italic>, <italic>CmoDELLA6</italic> and <italic>CmoDELLA7</italic> were remarkably induced under waterlogging stress. While, all of the 7 <italic>CmoDELLA</italic> genes showed significantly induced expression under cold stress. The expression patterns under abiotic stress suggested that <italic>CmoDELLA</italic> genes might mediate the stress response of pumpkin to NaCl, waterlogging and cold, however, the functions of different <italic>CmoDELLA</italic> genes varied under different stress. Overall, our study provides valuable information for further research about the potential functions and regulatory networks of <italic>CmoDELLA</italic> genes in pumpkin.</p>