Data Sheet 1_Genome-wide analysis of the UGT gene family in Rhododendron and transcriptional correlation of RiUGT43 with anthocyanin accumulation.zip

However, the evolutionary characteristics of the UGT family and its regulatory roles in flower color development remain poorly understood in woody ornamental plants.</p>Methods<p>In this study, we identified 137 UGT genes in the Rhododendron simsii genome. Of these, 126 were unevenly distributed across the 13 chromosomes, whereas the remaining 11 were located on unanchored scaffolds.

These genes were classified into 15 distinct subfamilies (designated A-O), among which subfamilies A and E contained the most members. Bioinformatic analyses of their physicochemical properties, conserved motifs, chromosomal locations and cis-acting regulatory elements revealed substantial structural and potential regulatory diversification within the Rhododendron UGT family. Integration of genome-family analysis with transcriptomic data from white, pink and red petals of Rhododendron indicum 'Huazhui' identified RiUGT43 as a candidate associated with flower-color variation.</p>Results<p>The R. simsii gene RsUGT43 falls into group E based on the current phylogeny, while its homolog RiUGT43 shows preferential expression in flowers.