Molecular identification, phylogenomic characterization and expression patterns analysis of the LIM (LIN-11, Isl1 and MEC-3 domains) gene family in pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) reveal its potential role in lignin metabolism.

Lignin is the main component of stone cells, which are a key factor in determining pear quality. Therefore, modification of lignin biosynthesis has important implications for regulating stone cell formation. LIMs are involved in plant development, stress response and metabolism. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about the pear LIM family and lignin-related LIMs. To address this problem, we identified 14 LIMs from the pear genome and named them. Phylogenomic and feature domain analysis showed that they were divided into CRP- and DA&DAR-LIM groups and five subclades. LIMs from the genomes of four rosids (Prunus mummer, Prunus persica, Fragaria vesca and Vitis vinifera) were also identified, and microsynteny analysis revealed the most orthologous gene pairs in the cross of pear/grape and pear/mei. The transcript levels of PbLIMs were significantly affected by SA, ABA and MeJA. Spatio-temporal expression analysis showed that PbLIMs of the δLIM2 subfamily were highly expressed in the flowers. Changes in the expression levels of PbWLIM1a and PbWLIM1b during fruit development was consistent with the changes in lignin content. Combining phylogenetic analyses, protein three-dimensional structure determination and sequence alignment analyses, these two genes were suggested as lignin-related PbLIMs. Subcellular localization results showed that PbWLIM1a and PbWLIM1b were located mainly in the chloroplast. This study lays the foundation for revealing the mechanism of LIM-mediated lignin metabolism to regulate stone cell formation.