Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of the U-Box Family
of E3 Ligases in Grapevine123
Y. H. Yua, X. Z. Lia, D. L. Guoa, H. L. Zhanga, G. R. Lib, X. Q. Lia, and G. H. Zhanga
aCollege of Forestry, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, P. R. China
bSchool of Horticulture Landscape Architecture, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang City, P. R. China
Correspondence to: e-mail: guohaizhang@126.com
1The article is published in the original.
2Abbreviations: APC—anaphase promoting complex; HECT—homologous to E6-associated protein C-terminus; RING—really interesting new gene; U-box—a modified RING domain without the Zn2+-binding residues; Ub—ubiquitin.
3Electronic supplementary material: The online version of this article contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Received 14 October, 2015
Abstract—E3 ubiquitin ligases play essential roles in determining the specificity of ubiquitination and subsequent protein degradation. The plant U-box (PUB) family of E3 ligases has been implicated in biotic and abiotic stress signaling and developmental events in various species. A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis identified 56 PUB genes in the grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) genome. Based on conserved motifs, the VvPUB family was classified into seven subclasses. Expansion of this family was driven by chromosomal, segmental, and tandem duplications. Microarray expression profiling revealed that three PUB genes were preferentially expressed in pollen, four in leaf, and five in root. Moreover, a large number of PUB genes were differentially expressed under abiotic stresses and eight PUB genes likely participated in defense against powdery mildew. The microarray expression data were verified by RT-qPCR. Genome-wide identification of VvPUB genes and examination of their expression will give insights into the functions of U-box genes in grapevine.
Keywords: Vitis vinifera, plant U-box, E3 ligases, abiotic stress, powdery mildew
DOI: 10.1134/S1021443716050186