Genome-wide identification, expression, and sequence analysis of CONSTANS-like gene family in cannabis reveals a potential role in plant flowering time regulation

Abstract Background Cannabis, an important industrial crop, has a high sensitivity to photoperiods. The flowering time of cannabis is one its agronomic traits, and significant effect on yield quality. CONSTANS-like ( COL ) gene plays key role in the regulation this plant. However, specific roles family are still unknown. Results In study, 13 CsCOL genes were identified genome. Phylogenetic analysis implied that proteins divided into three subgroups, each subgroup included conserved intron/exon structures motifs. Chromosome distribution showed unevenly distributed 7 chromosomes, with chromosome 10 having most members. Collinearity two syntenic pairs CsCOL4 CsCOL11 found both rice Gossypium raimondii . Of genes, CsCOL6 CsCOL12 pair tandem duplicated whereas CsCOL8 may have resulted from segmental duplication. Furthermore, tissue-specific expression preferentially expressed leaves, 1 stem, 2 female flower. Most exhibited diurnal oscillation pattern under different light treatment. Additionally, sequence CsCOL3 CsCOL7 amino acid differences among early-flowering late cultivars. Conclusion This study provided insight potential functions highlighted their cannabis. Our results laid foundation for further elucidation