Comparative analysis of the TCP gene family in celery, coriander and carrot (family Apiaceae)

Apiaceae is one of the most important families in Apiales and includes many economically important vegetables and medicinal plants. The TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR 1/2 (TCP) gene family plays an important role in regulating plant growth and development, but it has not been widely studied in Apiaceae. In the present study, we identified 215 TCP family genes in six species of plant, of which 122 genes were present in three Apiaceae including 29 in celery (Apium graveolens), 43 in coriander (Coriandrum sativum), and 50 in carrot (Daucus carota). Whole-genome duplication likely contributed to TCP gene family expansion in Apiaceae. There were more paralogs in carrot than in coriander and celery, which was attributable to the greater number of tandem and proximal duplicated genes on chromosome 1. Nine microRNAs were found to regulate 20 TCP genes in the three Apiaceae species, with miR-319 having the most target genes. Several TCP genes showed high expression in the root, petiole and leaf of celery and coriander. These results provide a basis for comparative and functional genomic analyses of TCP genes in Apiaceae and other plants.