Global analysis of SBP gene family in Brachypodium distachyon reveals its association with spike development

SQUAMOSA-promoter binding like proteins (SBPs/SPLs) are plant specific transcription factors targeted by miR156 and involved in various biological pathways, playing multi-faceted developmental roles. This gene family is not well characterized in Brachypodium. We identified a total of 18 SBP genes in B. distachyon genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SBP gene family in Brachypodium expanded through large scale duplication. A total of 10 BdSBP genes were identified as targets of miR156. Transcript cleavage analysis of selected BdSBPs by miR156 confirmed their antagonistic connection. Alternative splicing was observed playing an important role in BdSBPs and miR156 interaction. Characterization of T-DNA Bdsbp9 mutant showed reduced plant growth and spike length, reflecting its involvement in the spike development. Expression of a majority of BdSBPs elevated during spikelet initiation. Specifically, BdSBP1 and BdSBP3 differentially expressed in response to vernalization. Differential transcript abundance of BdSBP1, BdSBP3, BdSBP8, BdSBP9, BdSBP14, BdSBP18 and BdSBP23 genes was observed during the spike development under high temperature. Co-expression network, protein protein interaction and biological pathway analysis indicate that BdSBP genes mainly regulate transcription, hormone, RNA and transport pathways. Our work reveals the multi-layered control of SBP genes and demonstrates their association with spike development and temperature sensitivity in Brachypodium.