AUTHOR=Bai Xionghui , Qiao Pengfei , Liu Hanxiao , Shang Yuping , Guo Jie , Dai Keli 

TITLE=Genome-wide identification of the E-class gene family in wheat: evolution, expression, and interaction

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1419437

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1419437

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Wheat (<italic>Triticum aestivum</italic> L.) is among themost important crop worldwide. Given a growing population and changing climate, enhancing wheat yield is of great importance. Yield is closely associated with flower and spike development, and E-class genes play important roles in the flower and kernel development of plants. Currently, the absence of systematic analysis on the E gene family hinders our comprehension of their roles in plant growth and development.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Identify E-class genes based on homologous sequence searches. Analyze the identified E-class genes through a series of gene family analyses. Determine the expression levels of wheat E-class genes by searching public databases. Validate the functions of these genes by transforming them into <italic>Arabidopsis</italic>. Finally, determine the interactions between the genes through yeast two-hybrid experiments.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Fifteen E-class genes (TaEs) were identified in common wheat. Nine E-class genes were detected in five ancestral/closely related species, including one in <italic>Aegilops tauschii</italic> (AtE), one in <italic>T. Urartu</italic> (TuEs), two in <italic>T. turgidum</italic> (TtEs), two in <italic>T. dicoccoides</italic> (TdEs), and three in <italic>T. spelta</italic> (TsEs). The 24 E-class genes were classified into three subgroups using a phylogenetic approach. All genes were highly expressed in spikes, and most were only highly expressed at the floret meristem stage. The effects of <italic>TaSEP5-A</italic> on flowering and growth cycles were confirmed in homologous mutants and transgenic <italic>Arabidopsis thaliana</italic>. The E-class genes were able to regulate the growth cycle of <italic>Arabidopsis</italic>. Finally, we confirmed the interactions between <italic>TaSEP5-A</italic> and other wheat E-class genes based on yeast two-hybrid assays.</p></sec><sec><title>Discussion</title><p>Our findings provide information regarding the E-class genes in wheat and will potentially promote the application of these genes in wheat improvement.</p></sec>