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Acta Agronomica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (12): 3224-3237.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1006.2025.54063

• CROP GENETICS & BREEDING · GERMPLASM RESOURCES · MOLECULAR GENETICS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Genome-wide identification of CEP gene family in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and functional analysis of StCEP2 in regulating adventitious root growth and salt tolerance

ZHANG Hui-Min,DANG Ya-Ru,SANG Jia-Nan,JIAO Wen-Jing,SUN Chun-Yi,ZHUANG Jia-Mu,WEI Yu-Shu,ZHANG Chao,TIAN Peng,LIU Bai-Lin,SONG Yin*   

  1. College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University / State key Laboratory for Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
  • Received:2025-05-19 Revised:2025-09-10 Accepted:2025-09-10 Online:2025-12-12 Published:2025-09-25
  • Contact: 宋银, E-mail: yin.song@nwafu.edu.cn E-mail:zhanghuimin2022@nwafu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    This study was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2022YFF1002700), the Key R&D Program in Shaanxi Province (2021LLRH-07 and 2024NC-YBXM-002), and the Undergraduate Training Program for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (S202410712556).

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Abstract:

C-terminally encoded peptide (CEP) genes encode a class of secreted small peptides characterized by conserved structural domains near the C-terminus. These genes form a multi-member family that plays crucial roles in regulating various physiological processes in plants, including root development, nitrogen uptake, and responses to environmental stresses. In this study, members of the CEP gene family in potato (Solanum tuberosum, StCEP) were identified and analyzed for their physicochemical properties, conserved motifs, phylogenetic relationships, and promoter cis-acting elements. Expression patterns of StCEP genes were examined across different potato tissues and under various environmental conditions using RNA-seq data. Additionally, the function of salt-induced StCEP genes was validated through exogenous application of synthetic StCEP peptides. A total of 11 StCEP genes were identified in the potato genome, distributed across four chromosomes. The encoded StCEP proteins contained between 1 and 9 CEP motifs, with variability in motif number among members. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that StCEP family members clustered with CEP genes from Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum lycopersicum, forming two major clades comprising 21 and 26 members, respectively. Synteny analysis showed one syntenic gene pair between potato and A. thaliana, and 12 syntenic pairs between potato and S. lycopersicum. Promoter analysis indicated that StCEP genes are primarily regulated by light-responsive, hormone-responsive, developmental, and stress-related cis-elements. Expression profiling revealed that StCEP genes exhibit tissue-specific expression and are responsive to nitrogen availability, phytohormones (BAP, IAA, GA3, and ABA), and both biotic (e.g., Phytophthora infestans, BABA, BTH) and abiotic (e.g., NaCl) stress factors. Furthermore, exogenous application of the StCEP2 peptide promoted adventitious root formation and enhanced salt tolerance in potato plantlets under in vitro conditions. This study offers valuable insights into the functional roles of StCEP genes in regulating plant development and responses to environmental stress, laying a foundation for future functional genomics and crop improvement research.

Key words: potato, CEP peptide, exogenous peptide assay, adventitious root growth, salt-stress tolerance

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