Comprehensive analysis of the Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase gene family in kenaf (<i>Hibiscus cannabinus</i> L.) and their expression characteristics in response to salinity stress.

ABSTRACT: Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyzes the penultimate methylation in monolignol biosynthesis, controlling lignin composition and abiotic-stress tolerance. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), a fast bast-fiber crop rich in lignin, is valued for its mechanical strength and resilience to salinity. However, the COMT gene family has not yet been systematically characterized in this species. Here, we integrated phylogenetics, synteny, promoter and transcriptome analyses to create a comprehensive profile of kenaf COMT genes. Genome-wide screening identified 81 HcCOMT genes. Phylogenetic reconstruction with COMTs from Arabidopsis thaliana and Gossypium hirsutum resolved 10 distinct clades. Synteny analysis revealed 2 collinear blocks with Arabidops

SUBMITTER: Xu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12537682 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature