Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40604419›Full record

ArticleBMC plant biology2025

Decoding the GRAS code: evolutionary phylogeny and functional diversification of a key gene family in Populus simonii.

Junbo Chen, Guowei Yao, Xinru Bi, Yishuang Ren, Luping Jiang, Xiaoyu Xie, Lu Han, Wanying Chen, Yi Hao, Kewei Cai and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC plant biology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Identification ofPlants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Junbo ChenJilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China.
Guowei YaoJilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China.
Xinru BiJilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China.
Yishuang RenJilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China.
Luping JiangJilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China.
Xiaoyu XieJilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China.
Lu HanJilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China.
Wanying ChenJilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China.
Yi HaoJilin Changbai Forest Industry Group Wangqing Forestry Branch, Lanjia Forest Farm, Baishan, 134300, China.
Kewei CaiJilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China. ckwnefu@163.com.
Dandan ZhangHeilongjiang Institute of Atomic Energy, Harbin, 150081, China. zdd090603@163.com.
Xiyang ZhaoJilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China. zhaoxyphd@163.com.

Funding

This research was funded by the Technology Innovation 2030-Major Project for Agricultural Biotechnology Breeding 2022ZD0401504
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGRAS proteins constitute a plant-specific family of transcription factors involved in growth, development, and stress responses. Although the GRAS gene family has been extensively studied in various plant species, the comprehensive examination of the GRAS gene family in Populus simonii remains poorly characterized. In particular, its classification, evolutionary relationships, and potential functions in Populus simonii remain largely unexplored.

resultsIn this study, a total of 89 GRAS gene family members were identified in the Populus simonii genome. These genes were found to be unevenly distributed across 19 chromosomes, with chromosomes 1 and 7 harboring the highest number of GRAS genes. Based on the classification framework established for Arabidopsis thaliana, the Populus simonii GRAS genes were categorized into ten distinct subgroups. Sequence conservation analysis revealed that all PSGRAS proteins possess the conserved GRAS domain, and share several highly conserved motifs. Analysis of cis-acting elements in the promoter regions indicated the presence of multiple regulatory elements associated with light responsiveness, phytohormone signaling, stress tolerance, and developmental regulation. Expression profiling showed that PSGRAS genes exhibit tissue-specific and stress-responsive expression patterns, suggesting their functional diversification in growth, development, and abiotic stress adaptation in Populus simonii. Notably, PSGRAS20 was identified as a central hub in the predicted protein-protein interaction network, implying a potential regulatory role in coordinating the expression of other GRAS family members.

conclusionsThis study systematically identified and characterized 89 GRAS genes in Populus simonii, revealing their uneven chromosomal distribution, conserved structural features, and diverse expression patterns across tissues and stress conditions. The presence of cis-acting elements related to hormone signaling, stress response, and development suggests their broad regulatory roles. Notably, PSGRAS20 was identified as a potential central regulator within the gene interaction network. These findings enhance our understanding of the GRAS gene family's biological functions in Populus simonii and provide a foundation for future functional genomics and breeding applications.

Indexed as

Genes, PlantMultigene FamilyPlant ProteinsPopulusTranscription FactorsEvolution, MolecularGene Expression Regulation, PlantPhylogenyPlant ProteinsTranscription FactorsChromosomal localizationExpression patternGRAS gene familyPhylogenetic analysisPopulus simonii

Identifiers

PMID40604419
PMCPMC12220786

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.