Abstract: 【Objective】OVATE is a class of transcriptional repressor that regulates plant growth and development. In this study, the authors analyzed the grape OVATE gene family (VvOFPs) from the aspects of bioinformatics and tissue-specific expression in order to lay a foundation for the functional studies in future. 【Method】Based on the conserved OVATE domain (PF04844), OVATE genes were identified from grape genome. Chromosome location, gene structure, conserved domain and subcellular localization were also analyzed by the bioinformatics methods. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted based on the alignment of the OVATE proteins from grape and Arabidopsis genomes. The expression patterns of VvOFPs were tested via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). 【Result】Seventeen putative VvOFPs were identified in the grape genome and they unevenly distributed on the eleven chromosomes. No intron was found in the gene structures of VvOFPs. The VvOFPs encoded hydrophilic proteins, containing 115-444 amino acids, and their isoelectric points ranged from 4.55-9.69. In addition, all the VvOFPs contained the entire OVATE domain and were predicted to be located in the nucleus. According to the topology of phylogenetic tree, OVATE proteins from grape and Arabidopsis were divided into six groups (I-VI). Group II, III and V contained only two members, whilst members of groups I, IV and VI were clustered in the species-specific pattern. VvOFPs and AtOFPs contained 10 uncharacterized motifs. Motifs 1 and 2 were located in the OVATE domain region. Besides, group-specific motifs were also found outside the OVATE domain. qRT-PCR analysis showed that VvOFPs exhibited different tissue-specific expression patterns. Interestingly, twelve VvOFPs were found to be expressed in the detected organs of roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits while the others were expressed in the specific organ tissues. Most of the VvOFPs were more highly expressed in roots, stems and flowers, whereas a little gene was detected with low level in leaves and fruits. Meanwhile, VvOFPs expressed differently at different developmental stage. Transcripts in flowers a week before or at anthesis were at a high level, while low in fruits four weeks after anthesis. In addition, one pair of paralogues exhibited the same expression patterns, whereas the other three pairs of paralogues exhibited divergent expression patterns. 【Conclusion】Results of this study showed that grape OVATE domain is conserved. VvOFPs exhibited different expression patterns and may be involved in regulation of plant growth and development.

Key words: grape, OVATE gene family, bioinformatics, expression