Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization and Expression Analysis of the Chalcone Synthase Family in Maize

Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Jan 27;17(2):161. doi: 10.3390/ijms17020161.

Abstract

Members of the chalcone synthase (CHS) family participate in the synthesis of a series of secondary metabolites in plants, fungi and bacteria. The metabolites play important roles in protecting land plants against various environmental stresses during the evolutionary process. Our research was conducted on comprehensive investigation of CHS genes in maize (Zea mays L.), including their phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosomal locations and expression analysis. Fourteen CHS genes (ZmCHS01-14) were identified in the genome of maize, representing one of the largest numbers of CHS family members identified in one organism to date. The gene family was classified into four major classes (classes I-IV) based on their phylogenetic relationships. Most of them contained two exons and one intron. The 14 genes were unevenly located on six chromosomes. Two segmental duplication events were identified, which might contribute to the expansion of the maize CHS gene family to some extent. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR and microarray data analyses suggested that ZmCHS genes exhibited various expression patterns, indicating functional diversification of the ZmCHS genes. Our results will contribute to future studies of the complexity of the CHS gene family in maize and provide valuable information for the systematic analysis of the functions of the CHS gene family.

Keywords: chalcone synthase; evolution; expression; genome-wide analysis; maize.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyltransferases / genetics*
  • Acyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / drug effects
  • Gene Expression*
  • Genome, Plant
  • Multigene Family
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Salicylic Acid / pharmacology
  • Zea mays / enzymology*
  • Zea mays / genetics

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Acyltransferases
  • flavanone synthetase
  • Salicylic Acid