Genome-wide analysis of RING-type E3 ligase family identifies potential candidates regulating high amylose starch biosynthesis in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In ubiquitin-mediated post-translational modifications, RING finger families are emerged as important E3 ligases in regulating biological processes. Amylose and amylopectin are two major constituents of starch in wheat seed endosperm. Studies have been found the beneficial effects of high amylose or resistant starch on health. The ubiquitin-mediated post-translational regulation of key enzymes for amylose/amylopectin biosynthesis (GBSSI and SBEII) is still unknown. In this study, the genome-wide analysis identified 1272 RING domains in 1255 proteins in wheat, which is not reported earlier. The identified RING domains classified into four groups—RING-H2, RING-HC, RING-v, RING-G, based on the amino acid residues (Cys, His) at metal ligand positions and the number of residues between them with the predominance of RING-H2 type. A total of 1238 RING protein genes were found to be distributed across all 21 wheat chromosomes. Among them, 1080 RING protein genes were identified to show whole genome/segmental duplication within the hexaploid wheat genome. In silico expression analysis using transcriptome data revealed 698 RING protein genes, having a possible role in seed development. Based on differential gene expression and correlation analysis of 36 RING protein genes in diverse (high and low) amylose mutants and parent, 10 potential RING protein genes found to be involved in high amylose biosynthesis and significantly associated with two starch biosynthesis genes; GBSSI and SBEIIa. Characterization of mutant lines using next-generation sequencing method identified unique mutations in 698 RING protein genes. This study signifies the putative role of RING-type E3 ligases in amylose biosynthesis and this information will be helpful for further functional validation and its role in other biological processes in wheat.