Systematic characterization of FBP gene family in Saccharum reveals ScFBP3 as a key regulator of sucrose-mediated plant branching.
- 2026-07
- Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology 368
- Huiwen Zhou
- Hanmin Luo
- Minyi Wei
- Ting Luo
- Faqian Xiong
- Ming Li
- Lihang Qiu
- Haifeng Yan
- PubMed: 42009261
- DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113150
Study Design
- Sample size
- n = 66
- Methods
- Bioinformatics identification of 66 FBP genes across three Saccharum species; cloning of ScFBP3; overexpression in Arabidopsis; transcriptomic analysis
Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) is the world's most important sugar crop, where promoting tillering can enhance its yields. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), a key rate-limiting enzyme in plant photosynthesis, has been shown to promote branching or tillering in plants. However, systematic in-depth functional studies of the FBP gene family in sugarcane remain limited to date. Here, a total of 66 FBP gene family members were identified and analyzed using bioinformatics approaches across the genomes of three Saccharum species: Saccharum spontaneum, Saccharum hybrid R570, and Saccharum hybrid ZZ1. The FBP gene family was divided into three subgroups, with each subgroup exhibiting a consistent pattern in the distribution of conserved motifs and gene structure. Promoter cis-acting element analysis suggested that these elements are mainly predicted to be associated with light responses, regulation by plant hormones, adaptation to environmental stresses, and the control of plant growth and developmental processes. Based on RNA-Seq data, the FBP genes show distinct spatiotemporal expression patterns at different growth stages, in various tissues, as well as in response to hormones in sugarcane. Subsequently, the ScFBP3 gene was cloned, and transgenic Arabidopsis lines overexpressing ScFBP3 were generated. Compared with wild-type Arabidopsis plants, the ScFBP3 overexpression lines exhibited significantly higher sugar contents, increased sucrose accumulation, and more branches. Transcriptomic analysis combined with KEGG pathway annotation revealed that the differentially expressed genes in ScFBP3-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants were predominantly enriched in the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway. This finding suggests the conserved function of FBP gene in regulating branching by modulating sucrose metabolism, providing a reference for exploring the mechanism of carbon metabolism regulating tillering in sugarcane.