Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of the <i>MYB</i> Transcription Factor Gene Family in Chili Pepper (<i>Capsicum</i> spp.)

• Main Authors: Magda L. Arce-Rodríguez, Octavio Martínez, Neftalí Ochoa-Alejo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: <i>Capsicum</i>; chili pepper; MYB transcription factor; expression profiles; secondary metabolism; capsaicinoids
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/5/2229

The MYB transcription factor family is very large and functionally diverse in plants, however, only a few members of this family have been reported and characterized in chili pepper (<i>Capsicum</i> spp.). In the present study, we performed genome-wide analyses of the MYB family in <i>Capsicum annuum</i>, including phylogenetic relationships, conserved domain, gene structure organization, motif protein arrangement, chromosome distribution, chemical properties predictions, RNA-seq expression, and RT-qPCR expression assays. A total of 235 non-redundant MYB proteins were identified from <i>C. annuum</i>, including R2R3-MYB, 3R-MYB, atypical MYB, and MYB-related subclasses. The sequence analysis of CaMYBs compared with other plant MYB proteins revealed gene conservation, but also potential specialized genes. Tissue-specific expression profiles showed that <i>CaMYB</i> genes were differentially expressed, suggesting that they are functionally divergent. Furthermore, the integration of our data allowed us to propose strong <i>CaMYBs</i> candidates to be regulating phenylpropanoid, lignin, capsaicinoid, carotenoid, and vitamin C biosynthesis, providing new insights into the role of MYB transcription factors in secondary metabolism. This study adds valuable knowledge about the functions of <i>CaMYB</i> genes in various processes in the <i>Capsicum</i> genus.