Genome-wide analysis of the WOX gene family and identification of candidate genes for adventitious shoot regeneration in peanut
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factor family plays central roles in maintaining stem cell homeostasis and regulating organogenesis in plants. Genetic transformation of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), a globally important oilseed crop, remains severely limited by low regeneration efficiency. Here, we conducted a genome-wide identification and characterization of WOX genes in the peanut cultivar ‘Fuhuasheng’ to pinpoint candidates potentially involved in organ regeneration and to provide a basis for overcoming regeneration-related constraints in peanut transformation. We identified 20 WOX genes and systematically analyzed their phylogenetic relationships, conserved domains, collinearity, and promoter features, and then profiled their expression across tissues and during adventitious shoot regeneration using transcriptome data. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the AhWOX genes into three clades (ancient, intermediate, and WUS). All AhWOX proteins contained a conserved homeodomain (HD), and several WUS-clade members also carried the WUS-box and EAR motifs. Collinearity analysis indicated that AhWOX7, AhWOX12, and AhWOX14 are orthologs of Arabidopsis thaliana WUS and WOX5 and of the soybean regeneration-related gene GmWOX18, respectively. However, these orthologs showed only low expression, whereas the ancient-clade genes AhWOX13 and AhWOX20 were consistently highly expressed across all stages of adventitious shoot regeneration. Promoter analysis revealed enrichment of cis-elements associated with meristem activity, and phylogenetic evidence suggested that AhWOX13 and AhWOX20 are orthologous to AtWOX14, a reported positive regulator of shoot regeneration. Collectively, our results highlight AhWOX13 and AhWOX20 as promising candidates for improving regeneration capacity in peanut, providing a framework to enhance peanut transformation and accelerate functional genomics and trait engineering in oilseed crops.
Source: ACTA AGRONOMICA SINICA
Authors: Chun-Miao Gu, Run-Feng Wang, Lu Huang, Hao Liu, Qing Lu, Hai-Fen Li, Shao-Xiong Li, Shuang-Cheng He, Yan-Bin Hong, Xiao-Ping Chen, Bin Tan, Qian-Xia Yu
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $941
OpenAlex ID: W7160876358
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