Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of <i>FBA</i> Gene Family in Polyploid Crop <i>Brassica napus</i>

• Main Authors: Wei Zhao, Hongfang Liu, Liang Zhang, Zhiyong Hu, Jun Liu, Wei Hua, Shouming Xu, Jing Liu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-11-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: <i>brassica napus</i>; aldolase; calvin cycle; phytohormones; environmental stresses
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/22/5749

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) is a versatile metabolic enzyme involved in multiple important processes of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and Calvin cycle. Despite its significance in plant biology, the identity of this gene family in oil crops is lacking. Here, we performed genome-wide identification and characterization of <i>FBAs</i> in an allotetraploid species, oilseed rape <i>Brassica napus</i>. Twenty-two <i>BnaFBA</i> genes were identified and divided into two groups based on integrative analyses of functional domains, phylogenetic relationships, and gene structures. Twelve and ten <i>B. napus</i> FBAs (BnaFBAs) were predicted to be localized in the chloroplast and cytoplasm, respectively. Notably, synteny analysis revealed that <i>Brassica</i>-specific triplication contributed to the expansion of the <i>BnaFBA</i> gene family during the evolution of <i>B. napus</i>. Various <i>cis</i>-acting regulatory elements pertinent to abiotic and biotic stresses, as well as phytohormone responses, were detected. Intriguingly, each of the <i>BnaFBA</i> genes exhibited distinct sequence polymorphisms. Among them, six contained signatures of selection, likely having experienced breeding selection during adaptation and domestication. Importantly, <i>BnaFBAs</i> showed diverse expression patterns at different developmental stages and were preferentially highly expressed in photosynthetic tissues. Our data thus provided the foundation for further elucidating the functional roles of individual <i>BnaFBA</i> and also potential targets for engineering to improve photosynthetic productivity in <i>B. napus</i>.