Genome-wide investigation and expression analysis of the AP2/ERF family for selection of agarwood-related genes in Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg

Aquilaria sinensis is an important non-timber tree species for producing high-value agarwood, which is widely used as a traditional medicine and incense. Agarwood is the product of Aquilaria trees in response to injury and fungal infection. The APETALA2/ethylene responsive factor ( AP2/ERF) transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in plant stress responses and metabolite biosynthesis. In this study, 119 AsAP2/ERF genes were identified from the A. sinensis genome and divided into ERF, AP2, RAV, and Soloist subfamilies. Their conserved motif, gene structure, chromosomal localization, and subcellular localization were characterized. A stress/defense-related ERF-associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) motif and an EDLL motif were identified. Moreover, 11 genes that were highly expressed in the agarwood layer in response to whole-tree agarwood induction technique (Agar-Wit) treatment were chosen, and their expression levels in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), or salt treatment were further analyzed using the quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). Among the 11 genes, eight belonged to subgroup B-3. All 11 genes were significantly upregulated under salt treatment, while eight genes were significantly induced by both MeJA and SA. In addition, the gene clusters containing these upregulated genes on chromosomes were observed. The results obtained from this research not only provide useful information for understanding the functions of AP2/ERF genes in A. sinensis but also identify candidate genes and gene clusters to dissect their regulatory roles in agarwood formation for future research.