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Background <p>In China, over 98% of coffee is produced in Yunnan Province, where <i>Coffea arabica</i> L. predominates. Cold stress represents a major genetic constraint limiting coffee production, especially during the fruiting stage. WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are key regulators of stress responses, yet their systematic characterization and breeding value in <i>C. arabica</i> L. are remain largely unexplored.</p> Results <p>Here, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of <i>WRKY</i> genes across four <i>C. arabica</i> L. genomes, identifying 400 <i>CaWRKY</i> members phylogenetically classified into three groups. Segmental duplication was identified as the primary driver for <i>CaWRKY</i> family expansion. Physiological assessment of fruiting trees under cold stress revealed significant alterations in key traits, including increased electrolyte leakage and soluble sugars, and decreased photosynthesis. Transcriptomic analysis identified 47 cold-responsive <i>CaWRKYs</i>, which can be classified into five clusters, with <i>CaWRKY28</i>, <i>82</i>, <i>85</i>, <i>86</i>, and <i>89</i> showing up‑regulation under cold treatment. Crucially, heterologous expression of <i>CaWRKY28</i> in yeast conferred significantly enhanced cold tolerance, functionally validating its role in stress adaptation.</p> Conclusions <p>Our study provides the first comprehensive genetic overview of the <i>CaWRKY</i> family in <i>C. arabica</i> L. and pinpoints <i>CaWRKY28</i> as a high-value candidate for molecular breeding aimed at enhancing cold tolerance in this vital crop.</p>

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Genome‑wide analysis of the CaWRKY transcription factors reveals CaWRKY28 as a candidate gene for cold tolerance breeding in Coffea arabica L.

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月16日

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  • Tianci Hu,
  • Zhenwei Zhang,
  • Yu Lan,
  • Tianxiang Yang,
  • Feifei He,
  • Jing Gao,
  • Xiangshu Dong

摘要

Background

In China, over 98% of coffee is produced in Yunnan Province, where Coffea arabica L. predominates. Cold stress represents a major genetic constraint limiting coffee production, especially during the fruiting stage. WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are key regulators of stress responses, yet their systematic characterization and breeding value in C. arabica L. are remain largely unexplored.

Results

Here, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of WRKY genes across four C. arabica L. genomes, identifying 400 CaWRKY members phylogenetically classified into three groups. Segmental duplication was identified as the primary driver for CaWRKY family expansion. Physiological assessment of fruiting trees under cold stress revealed significant alterations in key traits, including increased electrolyte leakage and soluble sugars, and decreased photosynthesis. Transcriptomic analysis identified 47 cold-responsive CaWRKYs, which can be classified into five clusters, with CaWRKY28, 82, 85, 86, and 89 showing up‑regulation under cold treatment. Crucially, heterologous expression of CaWRKY28 in yeast conferred significantly enhanced cold tolerance, functionally validating its role in stress adaptation.

Conclusions

Our study provides the first comprehensive genetic overview of the CaWRKY family in C. arabica L. and pinpoints CaWRKY28 as a high-value candidate for molecular breeding aimed at enhancing cold tolerance in this vital crop.