Identification and characterization of the 14-3-3 gene family in Hevea brasiliensis

• 10 14-3-3 protein genes (HbGF14s) were identified in the latest rubber tree genome.
• 10 HbGF14s were expressed in at least one of the tissues.
• 10 HbGF14s were regulated by JA and ET.
• Interaction of HbGF14c with SRPP was identified.
• HbGF14c may be involved in the regulation of natural rubber biosynthesis.

The 14-3-3 proteins are a family of conserved phospho-specific binding proteins involved in diverse physiological processes. Although the genome-wide analysis of this family has been carried out in certain plant species, little is known about 14-3-3 protein genes in rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). In this study, we identified 10 14-3-3 protein genes (designated as HbGF14a to HbGF14j) in the latest rubber tree genome. A phylogenetic tree was constructed and found to demonstrate that HbGF14s can be divided into two major groups. Tissue-specific expression profiles showed that 10 HbGF14 were expressed in at least one of the tissues, which suggested that HbGF14s participated in numerous cellular processes. The 10 HbGF14s responded to jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) treatment, which suggested that these HbGF14s were involved in response to JA and ET signaling. The target of HbGF14c protein was related to small rubber particle protein, a major rubber particle protein that is involved in rubber biosynthesis. These findings suggested that 14-3-3 proteins may be involved in the regulation of natural rubber biosynthesis.