Genome-Wide Analysis of the Rice PcG Gene Family and Its Involvement in Salt Response and Development
2025
Ziang Shi | Jun Cao | Chuheng Li | Jun Liu | Xinlei Yang | Xiliu Cheng
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are pivotal in maintaining gene silencing through epigenetic mechanisms, particularly by catalyzing Histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) via the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) complex. These modifications are crucial for regulating developmental pathways and environmental stress responses in plants. Despite their importance, the PcG gene family has not been systematically explored in rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i>). In this study, 15 <i>OsPcG</i> genes were identified in the Nipponbare genome, spanning 12 chromosomes and classified into distinct phylogenetic groups. Structural and conserved motif analyses revealed high sequence conservation, while collinearity and Ka/Ks analyses indicated gene family expansion through segmental duplication under purifying selection. Promoter element prediction suggested that many <i>OsPcG</i> genes are responsive to plant hormones and abiotic stress cues. Transcriptome analysis under salt treatment highlighted <i>OsPcG5</i> as a key salt-responsive gene, with qRT-PCR confirming its dynamic expression. Subcellular localization showed <i>OsPcG5</i> residing in both the nucleus and plasma membrane, suggesting multifunctional roles. Additionally, overexpression of <i>OsFIE2</i>—a PRC2 component—resulted in elevated H3K27me3 levels and abnormal plant height, linking it to chromatin modification and development. These findings contribute to our understanding of <i>PcG</i> gene functions in rice and offer potential genetic resources for enhancing salt tolerance through epigenetic approaches.
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