This study aimed to investigate the molecular function of the C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factor PtrZAT11 in the process of wood formation in poplar. The expression pattern of PtrZAT11 in the xylem at different stem internodes of Populus trichocarpa was analyzed by RT-qPCR. The subcellular localization of the PtrZAT11-GFP fusion protein was observed using a PEG-mediated protoplast transient transformation system. A double mutant of PtrZAT11 and its homologous gene PtrZAT11h was generated using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Growth parameters and stem anatomical structures of the mutant were subsequently analyzed. The results indicated that PtrZAT11 was significantly highly expressed in stem internodes during the secondary growth stage,and its protein was localized in the nucleus. Compared with the wild type,the ptrzat11 ptrzat11h double mutant exhibited an approximately 31.5% increase in plant height and a significant increase in the number of stem internodes,while no significant differences were observed in ground diameter or internode length. In the 12th internode of the mutant,the width of xylem ring and proportion of xylem cell area were significantly reduced. Additionally,the number of fiber cells per unit area decreased,whereas the number of vessel cells increased. As a nuclear-localized transcription factor,PtrZAT11 participates in wood formation in poplar by influencing the differentiation quantity of xylem cells to regulate xylem tissue organization. It may also coordinate the balance between primary and secondary growth in poplar.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |