Cloning analysis of light-harvesting protein Cclhca-Z6 gene in Conyza canadensis and its response to caprylic acid stress

To explore the allelopathic effect of caprylic acid on Conyza canadensis, based on the proteomics data of C. canadensis under caprylic acid treatment, the complete cDNA sequence of CcLhca-Z6 gene was cloned by homologous cloning and RACE technology. The expression of CcLhca-Z6 gene was measured by fluorescence quantitative PCR at different time after caprylic acid application. The results showed that the full length of CcLhca-Z6 was 1016 bp (Gene Bank NO. MH512007.1), encoding 266 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 28.14 kD and theoretical pI of 5.29. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CcLhca-Z6 protein was clustered into a group with Artemisia annua (PWA84283.1), and the CcLhca-Z6 protein had the closest genetic relationship with Artemisia annua (PWA84283.1). RT-qPCR results showed that the treatment with caprylic acid significantly affected the expression of Lhca-z6 gene in the leaves of C. canadensis which showed a trend of first increasing and then descending with time. It was speculated that the CcLhca-Z6 gene may be the key gene in response to caprylic acid stress. This study laid a foundation for further exploring the function mechanism of plant herbicide caprylic acid. (authors)