Journal Article

Genome-wide analysis of the SWEET gene family and its response to powdery mildew and leaf spot infection in the common oat (Avena sativa L.)

Ju, Zeliang, Zhang, Ran, Yang, Juanjuan, Zhao, Guiqin, Pan, Yuanbo, Miao, Peiqin, Niu, Kuiju, Zhang, Yuehua, Chai, Jikuan, Cui, Xiaoning

2024

Overview

The nutritional quality and yield of oats ( Avena sativa ) are often compromised by plant diseases such as red leaf, powdery mildew, and leaf spot. Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEETs) are newly identified sugar transporters involved in regulating plant growth and stress responses. However, the roles of SWEET genes in biotic stress responses remain uncharacterized in oats. In this study, 13 AsSWEET genes were identified across nine chromosomes of the oat genome, all of which were predicted to contain seven transmembrane regions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four clades of AsSWEET proteins, with high homology to SWEET proteins in the Poaceae family. Collinearity analysis demonstrated strong relationships between oat and Zea mays SWEETs. Using subcellular localization prediction tools, AsSWEET proteins were predicted to localize to the plasma membrane. Promoter analysis revealed cis-acting elements associated with light response, growth, and stress regulation. Six AsSWEET proteins were predicted to interact in a network centered on AsSWEET1a and AsSWEET11. Gene expression analysis of two oat varieties, ‘ForagePlus’ and ‘Molasses’, indicated significant expression differences in several AsSWEET genes following infection with powdery mildew or leaf spot, including AsSWEET1a , AsSWEET1b , AsSWEET2b , AsSWEET3a , AsSWEET11 , and AsSWEET16 . These SWEET genes are potential candidates for disease resistance in oats. This study provides a foundation for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of AsSWEET genes, particularly in response to powdery mildew and leaf spot, and offers insights for enhancing oat molecular breeding.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Abiotic stress / Airborne microorganisms / Amino acids / Analysis / Animal Genetics and Genomics / Ascomycota - pathogenicity / Ascomycota - physiology / Avena - genetics / Avena - microbiology / Avena sativa / Bioinformatics analysis / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Carbon / Chromosomes / Collinearity / Control / Crop diseases / Crop yield / Disease resistance / Disease Resistance - genetics / Diseases and pests / Flowers & plants / Gene expression / Gene Expression Profiling / Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Genes / Genetic aspects / Genetic research / Genome, Plant / Genomes / Genomic analysis / Genomics / Growth / Health aspects / Homology / Identification and classification / Leaf spot / Leafspot / Leaves / Life Sciences / Localization / Medical research / Medicine, Experimental / Microarrays / Microbial Genetics and Genomics / Mildew / Multigene Family / Nutritive value / Oat / Oats / Pathogens / Phylogenetics / Phylogeny / Plant diseases / Plant Diseases - genetics / Plant Diseases - microbiology / Plant Genetics and Genomics / Plant growth / Plant Leaves - genetics / Plant Leaves - microbiology / Plant Proteins - genetics / Plant Proteins - metabolism / Powdery mildew / Predictions / Promoter Regions, Genetic / Proteins / Proteomics / Regulatory mechanisms (biology) / Sugar / SWEET sugar transporter protein