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Background <p>CCT (CONSTANS, CO-LIKE, and TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1) domain-containing genes play essential roles in regulating photoperiod flowering, circadian rhythms, and environmental adaptation in plants. However, their composition, evolutionary dynamics, and potential functions remain largely unexplored in <i>Liriodendron chinense</i>, an ecologically and economically important relict tree species.</p> Results <p>In this study, we conducted a genome-wide identification and characterization of the <i>CCT</i> gene family in <i>L. chinense</i>, identifying 30 <i>LcCCT</i> genes unevenly distributed across 15 chromosomes. Phylogenetic, conserved motif, and gene structure analyses revealed distinct domain architectures among the three major subfamilies (COL, PRR, and CMF), suggesting functional diversification. Promoter cis-element analysis and transcriptome profiling indicated that <i>LcCCT</i> genes are involved in green tissue development and responses to abiotic stress. Further qRT-PCR validation showed that several <i>LcCCT</i> genes, including <i>LcCCT9</i>, <i>LcCCT21</i>, <i>LcCCT24</i>, and <i>LcCCT27</i>, exhibited coordinated expression with chlorophyll biosynthesis and accumulation during leaf development. Moreover, circadian rhythm experiments under long-day and short-day conditions demonstrated photoperiod-dependent rhythmic expression of these genes, implying their participation in light signaling and the diurnal regulation of key chlorophyll biosynthesis (<i>LcACSF</i>) and light-harvesting (<i>LcLHCb1</i> and <i>LcLHCb2</i>) genes.</p> Conclusions <p>This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the <i>CCT</i> gene family in <i>L. chinense</i>, revealing its conserved domain structure, diverse regulatory potential, and possible roles in leaf greening, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and light signaling. These findings establish a soild foundation for future functional investigations into the molecular mechanisms governing growth and environmental adaptation in <i>Liriodendron</i> species.</p>

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Genome-wide analysis of the CCT gene family in Liriodendron chinense highlights potential functions in light signaling and chlorophyll biosynthesis

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月5日

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  • Yongwei Zhu,
  • Hongsheng Wang,
  • Jinglong Zuo,
  • Hao Zang,
  • Linfeng Hu,
  • Ye Lu,
  • Jisen Shi,
  • Jinhui Chen,
  • Zhaodong Hao

摘要

Background

CCT (CONSTANS, CO-LIKE, and TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1) domain-containing genes play essential roles in regulating photoperiod flowering, circadian rhythms, and environmental adaptation in plants. However, their composition, evolutionary dynamics, and potential functions remain largely unexplored in Liriodendron chinense, an ecologically and economically important relict tree species.

Results

In this study, we conducted a genome-wide identification and characterization of the CCT gene family in L. chinense, identifying 30 LcCCT genes unevenly distributed across 15 chromosomes. Phylogenetic, conserved motif, and gene structure analyses revealed distinct domain architectures among the three major subfamilies (COL, PRR, and CMF), suggesting functional diversification. Promoter cis-element analysis and transcriptome profiling indicated that LcCCT genes are involved in green tissue development and responses to abiotic stress. Further qRT-PCR validation showed that several LcCCT genes, including LcCCT9, LcCCT21, LcCCT24, and LcCCT27, exhibited coordinated expression with chlorophyll biosynthesis and accumulation during leaf development. Moreover, circadian rhythm experiments under long-day and short-day conditions demonstrated photoperiod-dependent rhythmic expression of these genes, implying their participation in light signaling and the diurnal regulation of key chlorophyll biosynthesis (LcACSF) and light-harvesting (LcLHCb1 and LcLHCb2) genes.

Conclusions

This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the CCT gene family in L. chinense, revealing its conserved domain structure, diverse regulatory potential, and possible roles in leaf greening, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and light signaling. These findings establish a soild foundation for future functional investigations into the molecular mechanisms governing growth and environmental adaptation in Liriodendron species.