Identification of transcription factors from Radula marginata TAYLOR

The liverwort Radula marginata TAYLOR belongs to the Radulaceae family within the division of bryophyte. Since the identification of cannabinoid-like compounds, various studies including phytochemical, morphological and transcriptomics analysis suggest liverwort as an alternative source of cannabinoid-like natural compounds. However, lack of information regarding transcription factors (TFs) hinders understanding of the regulation of gene expression relevant for the biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites.

Therefore, we decided to capture the transcriptome and to exploit next-generation sequencing approach for the prediction of TFs in R. marginata. In-depth transcriptomic analysis revealed a total number of 3449 unigenes that have potential binding sites for 1085 transcription factors (TF) from 39 families. Moreover, comparative analysis from related moss species showed that six TF families like BSD, CSD, DbpA, FHA, LIM, tify and TIG had uniquely predicted in R. marginata. On the other hand, we could not find any target site from B3 and trihelix TF families which might have been due to evolutionary contraction. In addition, 156 TFs from MYB (66) bZIP (39) AP2/ERF (9/22) NAC (10) bHLH (8) DOF (2) that are primarily involved in regulating the secondary metabolism also predicted.

To sum it up, it is the first ever micro transcriptomic study predicting the TFs in R. marginata. However, further functional characterization of TFs especially for the secondary metabolism and terpenoid biosynthesis is vital to unraveling the expression of gene regulation.

• References

• 1 Hussain T, Plunkett B, Ejaz M, RV E, Kayser O. Identification of Putative Precursor Genes for the Biosynthesis of Cannabinoid-Like Compound in Radula marginata . Front Plant Sci 2018; 9: 1-17