Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of SmRR Gene Family in Eggplant

Strategic Insights -

Research from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University has shed new light on the response regulator proteins (RRs) in eggplant, a critical aspect of cytokinin signaling, plant growth, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. A team of researchers conducted a genome-wide identification and analysis of RR genes in eggplant, uncovering a total of 32 RRs, which were classified into three categories: type-A, type-B RRs, and Pseudo-RRs. Gene structure and motif analysis revealed similarities within each type, and gene duplication and tandem repeats were found to have facilitated the expansion of the RR gene family in the eggplant genome.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 32 RR genes were identified in eggplant through Blastp and HMM methods, which were classified into three categories: type-A, type-B RRs, and Pseudo-RRs.
  • Gene structure and motif analysis demonstrated similarities within each type, and gene duplication and tandem repeats were found to have facilitated the expansion of the RR gene family in the eggplant genome.
  • Synteny analysis uncovered 18 syntenic blocks between eggplant and Arabidopsis and 33 between eggplant and tomato.
  • Promoter analysis indicated potential roles in hormone signaling and stress responses, and tissue expression data showed that 12 genes had no or undetectable expression across 17 tested tissues.
  • Dynamic expression of 11 selected RR genes in response to salt, drought stress, and IAA hormone treatment in eggplant seedlings revealed that most genes responded to all three treatments.
  • SmRR9 exhibited the most profound response to salt stress, SmRR1 and SmRR9 to drought stress, and SmRR5 and SmRR6 to IAA treatment.
  • Four genes, SmRR9, SmRR1, SmRR5, and SmRR6, were proposed as key candidates for future studies on RR gene functions in abiotic stress responses and hormone signaling pathways.

Statistics:

  • A total of 32 RR genes were identified in eggplant.
  • Gene duplication and tandem repeats were found to have facilitated the expansion of the RR gene family in the eggplant genome.
  • 18 syntenic blocks were found between eggplant and Arabidopsis, and 33 between eggplant and tomato.
  • 12 genes had no or undetectable expression across 17 tested tissues.
  • 11 RR genes showed dynamic expression in response to salt, drought stress, and IAA hormone treatment in eggplant seedlings.

Sources:

  • Genome-wide identification and analysis of SmRR gene family in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and their response to abiotic stress and auxin. BMC Genomics, 2025;26(1):689.
  • BMC Genomics, Campus, 4 Crinan St, London N1 9XW, England. (BioMed Central - www.biomedcentral.com/; BMC Genomics - www.biomedcentral.com/bmcgenomics/)
  • Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Breeding by Design, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, People's Republic of China.