Affiliation:
1. College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, No. 46, Xinkang Road, Ya’an 625014, China
2. State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, National Engineering Research Center for Vegetables, Beijing Key Laboratory of Vegetable Germplasms Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics Improvement of Horticultural Crops (North China), Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Beijing 100097, China
Abstract
The Bax inhibitor-1 (BI-1) gene family, which is important for plant growth, development, and stress tolerance, remains largely unexplored in cauliflower. In this study, we identified and characterized cauliflower BI-1 family genes. Based on aligned homologous sequences and collinearity with Arabidopsis genes, we identified nine cauliflower BI-1 genes, which encode proteins that varied in length, molecular weight, isoelectric point, and predicted subcellular localization, including the Golgi apparatus, plasma membrane, and various compartments within the chloroplast. Phylogenetic analyses detected evolutionary conservation and divergence among these genes. Ten structural motifs were identified, with Motif 5 found to be crucial for inhibiting apoptosis. According to the cis-regulatory elements in their promoters, these genes likely influence hormone signaling and stress responses. Expression profiles among tissues highlighted the functional diversity of these genes, with particularly high expression levels observed in the silique and root. Focusing on BobBIL4, we investigated its role in brassinosteroid (BR)-mediated root development and salt stress tolerance. BobBIL4 expression levels increased in response to BR and salt treatments. The functional characterization of this gene in Arabidopsis revealed that it enhances root growth and salinity tolerance. These findings provide insights into BI-1 gene functions in cauliflower while also highlighting the potential utility of BobBIL4 for improving crop stress resistance.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Innovation Program of the Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Collaborative Innovation Program of the Beijing Vegetable Research Center
International Cooperation Base for Young Scientific and Technological Talent in Vegetable Germplasm Improvement