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Structural, evolutionary and functional analysis of the NAC domain protein family in Eucalyptus
Author(s) -
Hussey Steven G.,
Saïdi Mohammed N.,
Hefer Charles A.,
Myburg Alexander A.,
GrimaPettenati Jacqueline
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.13139
Subject(s) - biology , gene family , gene duplication , gene , phylogenetic tree , abiotic stress , genetics , genome , tandem repeat , structural motif , architecture domain , computational biology , biochemistry , art , enterprise architecture management , enterprise architecture , architecture , visual arts
SummaryNAC domain transcription factors regulate many developmental processes and stress responses in plants and vary widely in number and family structure. We analysed the characteristics and evolution of the NAC gene family of Eucalyptus grandis , a fast‐growing forest tree in the rosid order Myrtales. NAC domain genes identified in the E. grandis genome were subjected to amino acid sequence, phylogenetic and motif analyses. Transcript abundance in developing tissues and abiotic stress conditions in E. grandis and E. globulus was quantified using RNA‐seq and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT‐ qPCR ). One hundred and eighty‐nine E. grandis NAC (Egr NAC ) proteins, arranged into 22 subfamilies, are extensively duplicated in subfamilies associated with stress response. Most Egr NAC genes form tandem duplicate arrays that frequently carry signatures of purifying selection. Sixteen amino acid motifs were identified in Egr NAC proteins, eight of which are enriched in, or unique to, Eucalyptus . New candidates for the regulation of normal and tension wood development and cold responses were identified. This first description of a Myrtales NAC domain family reveals an unique history of tandem duplication in stress‐related subfamilies that has likely contributed to the adaptation of eucalypts to the challenging Australian environment. Several new candidates for the regulation of stress, wood formation and tree‐specific development are reported.