Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization and Expression Analysis of the Lhc Gene Family in Tetradesmus obliquus

Abstract

The process of photosynthesis depends heavily on the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins (Lhc). However, to date, there has been a lack of systematic understanding of the Lhc gene family members in T. obliquus. This study conducted a systematic identification and analysis of the Lhc family genes in T. obliquus using bioinformatics. The findings show that 33 ToLhc genes in total, dispersed unevenly over 14 chromosomes, were found in T. obliquus. Most ToLhc genes encode stable proteins, with the majority predicted to localize in the chloroplast. The most prevalent cis-acting elements were those linked to both biotic and abiotic stress responses, according to analysis.RT-qPCR analysis showed that all ToLhc genes were down-regulated under 6 mg/L Cr⁶⁺ conditions, except for ToLhca1/5.3 and ToLhcb1.1, which maintained expression levels. This study systematically identified and characterized members of the ToLhc gene family in the green algae T. obliquus. Additionally, it offered an initial comprehension of the expression patterns of 33 genes under Cr⁶⁺ heavy metal stress. The aim was to assess and predict the ecological risk of heavy metal Cr⁶⁺ pollution to aquatic organisms, and to offer a theoretical framework for assessing how Cr⁶⁺ affects algae.