Bioinformatics and Expression Analysis of the Chitinase Genes in Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and Functional Study of FvChi-14

Plant chitinases (EC 3.2.1.14) are pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins and are well studied in many plant species. However, little is known about the genomic organization and expression of chitinase genes in strawberries (Fragaria vesca). Here, 23 FvChi genes were identified in the genome of strawberry (F. vesca) and divided into GH18 and GH19 subfamilies based on phylogenetic relationships. A detailed bioinformatics analysis of the FvChi genes was performed, including gene physicochemical properties, chromosomal location, exon–intron distribution, domain arrangement, and subcellular localization. Twenty-two FvChi genes showed upregulation after Colletotrichum gloeosporioides infection. Following the exogenous application of SA, FvChi-3, 4, and 5 showed significant changes in expression. The ectopic expression of FvChi-14 in Arabidopsis thaliana increased resistance to C. higginsianum via controlling the SA and JA signaling pathway genes (AtPR1, AtICS1, AtPDF1.2, and AtLOX3). The FvChi-14 protein location was predicted in the cell wall or extracellular matrix. We speculate that FvChi-14 is involved in disease resistance by regulating the SA and JA signaling pathways. The findings of this study provide a theoretical reference for the functional studies of FvChi genes and new candidates for strawberry stress resistance breeding programs.