Genome-wide investigation of the NCED gene family in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.): identification, analysis and expression

Abstract

Background Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) is an essential leguminous forage with high nutrition and strong adaptability. The 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) family genes encode 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, which is the key rate-limiting enzyme in ABA biosynthesis. However, few reports have been reported on the phylogenetic analysis and gene expression profiling of NCED family genes in alfalfa. Result A total of 35 NCED genes were identified in the alfalfa genome, distributed across 21 chromosomes. The number of amino acids encoded by members of the alfalfa NCED family ranged from 242 to 610, and all were hydrophilic proteins. Subcellular localization prediction showed that most MsNCED proteins are localized to peroxisomes and chloroplasts. Collinearity analysis indicated that segmental duplication was the key driving force for the expansion of this gene family during evolution. A range of cis-acting elements were detected in MsNCED gene promoter regions, involved in a variety of hormone and abiotic stress responses. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that MsNCED1 , MsNCED8 , and MsNCED31 were significantly induced by low-temperature, salt, and drought stresses, suggesting that these genes may be involved in the abiotic stress responses of alfalfa. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further functional characterization of the NCED gene family in alfalfa. Conclusion In this study, members of the NCED gene family were identified in alfalfa, and their structural characteristics and possible functions were systematically analyzed. These findings lay a foundation for further investigation into the molecular functions of NCEDs in alfalfa.

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