Identification of the KNOX Gene Family in Salvia miltiorrhiza Revealing Its Response Characteristics to Salt Stress

Bibliographic Details
Title: Identification of the KNOX Gene Family in Salvia miltiorrhiza Revealing Its Response Characteristics to Salt Stress
Authors: Siqi Deng, Wenjing Ma, Chunxu Cui, Shiqian Wang, Mei Jiang
Source: Plants, Vol 14, Iss 3, p 348 (2025)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Botany
Subject Terms: Salvia miltiorrhiza, KNOX gene family, subcellular localization, expression analysis, salt stress, target genes, Botany, QK1-989
More Details: Salvia miltiorrhiza is a herbaceous plant that possesses significant medicinal value. Land salinization affects the growth of S. miltiorrhiza, resulting in a decline in its quality and yield. Knotted1-like homeobox (KNOX) genes are transcription factors that play important roles in plant growth and abiotic stress. The characteristics and functions of KNOX genes in S. miltiorrhiza remain unclear. Here, we identified ten KNOX genes in S. miltiorrhiza, all of which possess the characteristic four domains: KNOX1, KNOX2, ELK, and HD. These SmKNOXs were divided into two groups together with homologous genes. Cis-acting element analysis indicated all SmKNOXs contained elements associated with phytohormone, light, and stress response. The SmKNOXs show tissue-specific expression among roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. We assessed the response of the SmKNOXs to salt stress using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Notably, SmKNOX4 expression significantly decreased within 24 h of salt exposure, while SmKNOX1, SmKNOX2, SmKNOX3, SmKNOX8, and SmKNOX9 showed significant increases. The expression of SmKNOX1, SmKNOX2, and SmKNOX3 was significantly positively correlated with that of their target genes, GA20ox1 and S11 MYB. These findings suggest that SmKNOXs and their target genes respond to salt stress, providing a foundation for studies of SmKNOXs and the potential genetic improvement of S. miltiorrhiza.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2223-7747
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/3/348; https://doaj.org/toc/2223-7747
DOI: 10.3390/plants14030348
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/9ba33ac14a294328b79b142e74b063cf
Accession Number: edsdoj.9ba33ac14a294328b79b142e74b063cf
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:22237747
DOI:10.3390/plants14030348
Published in:Plants
Language:English