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Gene map of the five Salix chloroplast genomes. Genes shown outside the circle are transcribed clockwise, and those inside are recorded counterclockwise. The gray circle depicts GC content. The known functional genes are marked with colored bars.
Source publication
Salix, an economically and ecologically multifunctional tree species widely distributed in China, encompasses five ornamental species sequenced in this study, which are highly beneficial for plant phytoremediation due to their ability to absorb heavy metals. This research utilized high-throughput sequencing to acquire chloroplast genome sequences o...
Citations
... Its flexible and uniform branches make it an ideal material for willow weaving, while its products are safe, environmentally friendly, and durable. Notably, S. suchowensis is not only a fast-growing economic tree but also an ecologically valuable species [6]. With strong tolerance to waterlogging, it grows well on riverbanks, making it an excellent tree species for soil and water conservation and embankment consolidation [7]. ...
... The motif types of SsVQs and PtVQs were consistent. However, SsVQ proteins lacked the FxxxVQxLTD/S, FxxxVQxYTG, and FxxxVQxITG motifs in contrast to AtVQs and OsVQs [6,7]. In order to be er understand the similarities and differences of SsVQ motifs, multiple sequence alignments were performed ( Figure 5). ...
... The motif types of SsVQs and PtVQs were consistent. However, SsVQ proteins lacked the FxxxVQxLTD/S, FxxxVQxYTG, and FxxxVQxITG motifs in contrast to AtVQs and OsVQs [6,7]. ...
The valine glutamine (VQ) proteins are transcription cofactors involved in various aspects of plant biology, including growth, development, and stress resistance, making them an attractive target for genetic engineering aimed at enhancing plant resilience and productivity. However, comprehensive reports or systematic studies on VQ cofactors in Salix suchowensis remain lacking. In this study, we analyzed SsVQ genes using bioinformatics methods based on the Salix suchowensis genome database. Expression profiles were further investigated through qRT-PCR under six treatments: PEG, NaCl, 40 °C, ABA, SA, and MeJA. A total of 39 SsVQ genes were identified, with phylogenetic analysis classifying them into seven groups. Collinearity analysis suggested that SsVQ gene amplification primarily resulted from whole genome duplication (WGD) or segmental duplication events. Ka/Ks ratios indicated that willow VQ genes have undergone predominantly purifying selection. Gene structure analysis revealed that SsVQ genes are intronless. Multiple sequence alignment showed that SsVQ19 shares similarity with PtVQ27, containing a hydrophilic threonine (T) residue preceding the VQ amino acid residues. Furthermore, genes within each group exhibited conserved structures and VQ motifs. Promoter and expression analyses suggested the potential roles of SsVQ genes in regulating willow responses to environmental stresses and hormonal signals. Most SsVQ genes displayed differential expression at specific time points, with six members (SsVQ2, SsVQ9, SsVQ12, SsVQ23, SsVQ32, and SsVQ34) showing sustained high-amplitude expression profiles across treatments. Notably, SsVQ34 demonstrated pronounced transcriptional induction under PEG stress, with expression levels upregulated by 62.29-fold (1 h), 49.21-fold (6 h), 99.9-fold (12 h), and 201.50-fold (24 h). Certain SsVQ genes showed co-expression under abiotic/hormonal stresses, implying synergistic functions. Paralogous gene pairs exhibited stronger co-expression than non-paralogous pairs. This study provides novel insights into the structural and functional characteristics of the VQ gene family in Salix suchowensis, establishing a foundation for future research on the stress-resistance mechanisms of willow VQ genes.
