GENOME WIDE IDENTIFICATION OF CCO GENE FAMILY IN BEETROOT (BETA VULGARIS) AND ITS COMPARISON WITH ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA

Abstract

The CCO (carotenoid cleavage oxygenase) gene family plays a significant role in development and growth of the plant with the production of several phytohormones specifically abscisic acid and strigolactones as well as essential for pigment production. These hormones play a crucial role in regulating plant responses to various stimulus. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a famous root vegetable known for its paramount health benefits along with its use as a coloring agent. Genome wide analysis of beetroot CCO genes has not been reported. In this study, genome mining of beetroot identifies seven BvCCO gene family members (three NCED and four CCD genes) which belong to six subgroups. Most of them are present in chloroplast dispersed on different chromosomes. Hence, segmented duplication is observed predominantly. CRE (Cis regulatory element) analysis of BvCCO genes indicates that they might be related to hormone regulation, light and stress responsiveness as well as growth and development of beetroot plant. Gene expression of beetroot manifest two genes BvNCED5 and BvCCD8a and their orthologue in A. thaliana showed upregulated expression during drought stress. Furthermore, thorough genome wide study of CCO genes in B.vulgaris will provide an understanding of BvCCO genes which sets a base for further investigations in details of beetroot plant.