GENOME WIDE IDENTIFICATION AND DIGITAL EXPRESSION PROFILING OF THE OVATE FAMILY PROTEINS (OFP) IN POTATO

Abstract

Ovate family proteins (OFPs) are a class of proteins with diverse physiological functions in plants. These proteins have been identified as the key regulator of fruit shape in tomato. Irregular sized tuber is common problem in potato and severely affect marketable yield. The factors regulating the oval shape of tuber in potato is poorly understood. We are trying to investigate the role of these protein family in regulating the tuber shape in potato. With this objective we have performed the genome wide identification OFPs from the potato genome and performed the digital expression profiling of these genes in tubers as well as fruits. Our in-sillico analysis have identified the 24 OFPs with conserved ovate domain. Potato eFP browser generated digital expression profiles reveals that StOFP are expressed in tubers. The
underlying mechanism of gene action of StOFPs will become more clearer once the genes are validated using the wet lab experiments.