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Background <p><i>Vernicia fordii</i> Hemsl (also known as Tung tree), an significant commercial oil-producing tree species, is a monoecious and diclinous species with male and female flowers on the same inflorescence; however, the molecular mechanisms governing its floral sex determination remain elusive, particularly the genetic basis underlying the skewed female-to-male flower ratio and the evolutionary dynamics of sex-related gene families, which severely restrict targeted breeding for yield enhancement. In the model plant Arabidopsis, the <i>BRI1 EMS SUPPRESSOR 1</i> (<i>BES1</i>) transcription factor family plays a crucial role in Brassinosteroid (BR) signaling and reproductive development. However, its function remains largely unexplored in woody perennials.</p> Results <p>In this study, we introduce the genome-wide identification and functional characterization of the <i>BES1</i>-like (<i>VfBES1</i>) gene family in the Tung tree for the first time. Integrative multi-omics approaches reveal seven <i>VfBES1</i> genes that are clustered into three phylogenetically distinct clades, each characterized by clade-specific motifs and structural simplicity. Segmental duplication events (<i>VfBES1-1</i>/<i>VfBES1-5</i> and <i>VfBES1-4</i>/<i>VfBES1-7</i>) and promoter cis-element enrichment (hormone-responsive and abiotic stress-related motifs) highlight evolutionary innovation and functional diversification. Spatiotemporal expression profiling reveals <i>VfBES1</i> genes’ tissue- and stage-specific roles. <i>VfBES1-1</i> predominantly expresses in female flowers and fruits, suggesting its possible roles in late-stage sex maintenance or ovule and fruit development. <i>VfBES1-2</i> and <i>VfBES1-6</i> exhibit male flower-specific and early floral developmental activation, respectively. Nuclear-localized <i>VfBES1-6</i> displays co-expression with <i>VfMYB35-1</i> gene, which is a regulator of male structure degeneration.</p> Conclusions <p>Findings in this study shed light on the regulatory roles of <i>VfBES1 genes</i> in the floral development of the Tung tree, providing a reference for its precision breeding to enhance flowering synchrony and seed productivity. This study also provides a comparative framework for understanding the functional diversity of <i>BES1</i>-like genes in non-model woody plants.</p>

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Genome-wide identification and functional analysis of the BES1-like (VfBES1) gene family in Vernicia fordii reveals its role in floral development

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月26日

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  • Chong Ge,
  • Jing Gao,
  • Lin Zhang,
  • Jie Cao,
  • Xiang Li,
  • Junjie Chen

摘要

Background

Vernicia fordii Hemsl (also known as Tung tree), an significant commercial oil-producing tree species, is a monoecious and diclinous species with male and female flowers on the same inflorescence; however, the molecular mechanisms governing its floral sex determination remain elusive, particularly the genetic basis underlying the skewed female-to-male flower ratio and the evolutionary dynamics of sex-related gene families, which severely restrict targeted breeding for yield enhancement. In the model plant Arabidopsis, the BRI1 EMS SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) transcription factor family plays a crucial role in Brassinosteroid (BR) signaling and reproductive development. However, its function remains largely unexplored in woody perennials.

Results

In this study, we introduce the genome-wide identification and functional characterization of the BES1-like (VfBES1) gene family in the Tung tree for the first time. Integrative multi-omics approaches reveal seven VfBES1 genes that are clustered into three phylogenetically distinct clades, each characterized by clade-specific motifs and structural simplicity. Segmental duplication events (VfBES1-1/VfBES1-5 and VfBES1-4/VfBES1-7) and promoter cis-element enrichment (hormone-responsive and abiotic stress-related motifs) highlight evolutionary innovation and functional diversification. Spatiotemporal expression profiling reveals VfBES1 genes’ tissue- and stage-specific roles. VfBES1-1 predominantly expresses in female flowers and fruits, suggesting its possible roles in late-stage sex maintenance or ovule and fruit development. VfBES1-2 and VfBES1-6 exhibit male flower-specific and early floral developmental activation, respectively. Nuclear-localized VfBES1-6 displays co-expression with VfMYB35-1 gene, which is a regulator of male structure degeneration.

Conclusions

Findings in this study shed light on the regulatory roles of VfBES1 genes in the floral development of the Tung tree, providing a reference for its precision breeding to enhance flowering synchrony and seed productivity. This study also provides a comparative framework for understanding the functional diversity of BES1-like genes in non-model woody plants.