The Catalase Gene Family in Cotton: Genome-Wide Characterization and Bioinformatics Analysis

Abstract

Catalases (CATs), which were coded by the catalase gene family, were a type notably distinguished ROS-metabolizing proteins implicated to perform various physiological functions in plant growth, development and stress responses. However, no systematical study has been performed in cotton. In the present study, we identified 7 and 7 <i>CAT</i> genes in the genome of <i>Gossypium hirsutum</i> L. Additionally, <i>G. barbadense</i> L., respectively. The results of the phylogenetic and synteny analysis showed that the <i>CAT</i> genes were divided into two groups, and whole-genome duplication (WGD) or polyploidy events contributed to the expansion of the <i>Gossypium</i><i>CAT</i> gene family. Expression patterns analysis showed that the <i>CAT</i> gene family possessed temporal and spatial specificity and was induced by the <i>Verticillium dahliae</i> infection. In addition, we predicted the putative molecular regulatory mechanisms of the <i>CAT</i> gene family. Based on the analysis and preliminary verification results, we hypothesized that the <i>CAT</i> gene family, which might be regulated by transcription factors (TFs), alternative splicing (AS) events and miRNAs at different levels, played roles in cotton development and stress tolerance through modulating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism. This is the first report on the genome-scale analysis of the cotton <i>CAT</i> gene family, and these data will help further study the roles of <i>CAT</i> genes during stress responses, leading to crop improvement.