Genome-wide analysis of Homeobox (HB) gene in sugarcane and functional analysis of ScHB56 in tillering and leaf development
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: As a major global industrial crop, sugarcane ( Saccharum spp. hybrids) plays a crucial role in agricultural production, where tillering serves as a crucial agronomic trait determining final yield. Plant growth and morphological development are strongly influenced by the regulatory functions of Homeobox ( HB ) genes. However, the biological functions of ScHB family proteins in sugarcane remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, through genome-wide identification and analysis, we identified 66 ScHB genes. Among them, ScHB56 showed a strong association with tillering based on GWAS results. ScHB56 localizes to the nucleus, shows predominant expression in mature stems, and is up-regulated by auxin (IAA) and 6-BA treatments. Overexpression of ScHB56 in Arabidopsis significantly increased the branch number of transgenic plants and caused irregular leaf margin curling and abnormal leaf area variations. In ScHB56 overexpressing Arabidopsis, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the IAA pathway were identified, with ScGH3 being significantly upregulated and ScARF , ScIAA19 , and ScSAUR27 markedly downregulated. Additionally, Y2H screening revealed interactions between ScHB56 and two proteins: RING-H2 finger protein (ScRUG1) and O-methyltransferase ZRP4 (ScZRP4), which were subsequently confirmed by BiFC and LCI assays. Thus, ScHB56 coordinates tillering and leaf development via IAA signaling and protein interactors, offering key targets for sugarcane improvement.
Source: Industrial Crops and Products
Authors: Dehong Chen, Bowen Kuang, Chaoqi Wang, Yang Zhao
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,720
Funders: Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Science and Technology Major Project of Guangxi, Specific Research Project of Guangxi for Research Bases and Talents, State Key Laboratory For Conservation And Utilization Of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources
OpenAlex ID: W4413859585