Work

Uncovering the medicinal improving potential of Paeonia ostii: An in-depth examination of the GGPS gene family and its response to salt stress

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Identified 11 Paeonia ostii GGPS ( PoGGPS ) genes, which unevenly distributed on four chromosomes from the available Paeonia ostii genome database. • Those PoGGPS genes mainly containing light, hormone response, and abiotic stress cis-acting elements in Paeonia ostii . • The abundant presence of light-responsive cis-acting elements in the PoGGPS promoter region may contribute to both terpenoid biosynthesis and salt stress tolerance. • Expression profiling in Paeonia ostii revealed six randomly selected genes with salt stress-responsive specificity, suggesting their dual roles in development and stress adaptation, and further indicating that salt stress acts as an environmental inducer of terpenoid biosynthesis. Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPS) is a crucial enzymatic component in plant metabolic pathways, facilitating the biosynthesis of terpenoid compounds vital for plant disease resistance, developmental processes, and environmental adaptation. Our investigation focused on Paeonia ostii , a commercially significant species esteemed for its medicinal, oily, and ornamental values, which exhibit particular sensitivity to saline soil conditions. The present study performed a genome-wide analysis and identified 11 members of the GGPS gene family in Paeonia ostii , distributed unevenly across four chromosomes. Predictions for subcellular localization indicate that PoGGPS proteins are primarily expressed in chloroplasts and the cytoplasm. Phylogenetic analyses categorized the examined genes into four distinct evolutionary groups. Gene structure analysis revealed 15 exons and 22 introns, while 3D and secondary structure predictions indicated conserved functional domains. Motif analysis identified 10 conserved motifs, with motifs 1 and 2 present in seven proteins of the largest group. Cis-acting elements analysis revealed that a substantial proportion (49.1 %) of the identified cis-acting elements are associated with light responsiveness in GGPS promoters. Collinearity and Ka/Ks analysis uncovered multiple duplication events within the PoGGPS gene family. The Ka/Ks ratios suggested that the PoGGPS genes experienced purifying or negative selection pressure. Protein similarity analysis showed between 3.19 % and 84.08 % sequence homology among group members. Expression profiling of six target genes in three cultivars (QF-11, QF-12, QF-230) demonstrated significant upregulation compared to the control on six days after salt treatment, indicating that salt stress is a potential adversity factor that can induce the synthesis of terpenoid substances. Based on our findings and existing literature, we propose that the abundance of light-responsive cis-elements in the promoters of GGPS genes likely facilitates the light-mediated regulation of terpenoid biosynthesis, thereby enhancing salt tolerance in tree peony. These findings advance the functional genomics of GGPS in P. ostii , identifying candidate genes for enhancing stress tolerance via molecular breeding. Our data establish a foundation for improving environmental resilience through GGPS manipulation while revealing mechanistic insights into terpenoid biosynthesis regulation, informing strategies to optimize medicinal phytochemical production in plants.

Source: Scientia Horticulturae

DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114432