Phylogenomic Analysis of the <i>PEBP</i> Gene Family from Kalanchoë

• Main Authors: Kathryn Kuligowska Mackenzie, Lívia Lopes Coelho, Henrik Lütken, Renate Müller
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-03-01
• Series: Agronomy
• Subjects: BROTHER OF FT AND <i>TFL1</i>; gene duplication; <i>Kalanchoë fedtschenkoi</i>; <i>Kalanchoë laxiflora</i>; FLOWERING LOCUS T; molecular phylogeny; TERMINAL FLOWER 1
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/9/4/171

The <i>PEBP</i> family comprises proteins that function as key regulators of flowering time throughout the plant kingdom and they also regulate growth and plant architecture. Within the <i>PEBP</i> protein family, three subfamilies can be distinguished in angiosperms: MOTHER OF FT AND <i>TFL1</i>-like (MFT), FLOWERING LOCUS T-like (FT-like), and TERMINAL FLOWER1-like (<i>TFL1</i>-like). Taking advantage of the genome sequences available from <i>K. fedtschenkoi</i> and <i>K. laxiflora</i>, we performed computational analysis to identify the members of the <i>PEBP</i> gene family in these species. The analyses revealed the existence of 11 <i>PEBP</i> genes in <i>K. fedtschenkoi</i> and 18 in <i>K. laxiflora</i>, which are clustered in two clades: <i>FT</i>-like and <i>TFL1</i>-like. The <i>PEBP</i> genes had conserved gene structure and the proteins had highly conserved amino acid sequences in the positions crucial for the protein functions. The analysis of Ka/Ks ratio revealed that most recently duplicated genes are under positive selection. Despite being an economically important genus, the genetics underlying the regulation of flowering in Kalancho&#235; is poorly understood. The results of this study may provide a new insight into the molecular control of flowering that will allow further studies on flowering control in Kalancho&#235;.