Molecular Identification and Characterization of UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) Multigene Family in Pomegranate

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is regarded as one of the functional fruits because its large amounts secondary metabolites. The glycosylation processes mediated by UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) play a decisive role in regulating metabolite availability. In this study, genome-wide search identified 145 UGT genes pomegranate, and further phylogenetic analysis defined 17 distinct groups: A to P R. PgUGTs were dispersed unevenly across all eight chromosomes. Duplication events revealed that both segmental tandem duplications main mechanisms leading gene family expansions. comparison exon–intron patterns 53 intron-less genes. total 24 types cis-acting elements related hormone, stress, developmental responses predicted promoter regions. Expression PgUGT using RNA-seq data quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) verification suggested expressed at specific stages fruit development, different members likely played roles stages. an attempt identify UGTs involved flavonoids, 44 putatively determined, 5 well-defined orthologous groups (OGs) characterized regioselectivity these enzymes. These results provide significant insight into multi-gene will be helpful elucidate their specialized metabolism pomegranate.