Abstract
Research Highlights: This study identified the cell cycle genes in birch that likely play important roles during plant growth and development. This analysis provides a basis for understanding the regulatory mechanism of various cell cycles in Betula pendula. Background and Objectives: The cell cycle factors not only influence cell cycle progression together, but also regulate accretion, division and differentiation of cells, and then regulate growth and development of plant. In this study, we identified the putative cell cycle genes in B. pendula genome, based on the annotated cell cycle genes in A. thaliana. It could serve as a foundation for further functional studies. Materials and Methods: The transcript abundance was determined for all the cell cycle genes in xylem, root, leaf and flower tissues using RNA-seq technology. Results: We identified 59 cell cycle gene models in the genome of B. pendula, 17 highly expression genes among them. These genes were BpCDKA.1, BpCDKB1.1, BpCDKB2.1, BpCKS1.2, BpCYCB1.1, BpCYCB1.2, BpCYCB2.1, BpCYCD3.1, BpCYCD3.5, BpDEL1, BpDpa2, BpE2Fa, BpE2Fb, BpKRP1, BpKRP2, BpRb1 and BpWEE1. Conclusions: We identified 17 core cell cycle genes in the genome of birch by combining phylogenetic analysis and tissue specific expression data.