The Cellulose synthase-like F6 (CslF6) gene has been reported as a key factor for β-glucan synthesis in grasses. However, the action of this gene on oat β-glucan content is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were: (i) to quantify the absolute expression of CslF6 transcripts in oats under field conditions; and (ii) to characterize the CslF6 homoeologs in oat genotypes with different levels of β-glucan content. Developing kernels of five oat genotypes were collected under field conditions in two planting dates. The CslF6 absolute quantification was performed using droplet digital PCR considering global and homoeolog-specific expressions. The third exon of the CslF6 gene, which covers approximately 62.2% of the coding region, was sequenced in each homoeolog. The CslF6 expression was highly influenced by planting date, kernel developmental stage, and genotype. High CslF6 transcript number was not associated with high β-glucan content, indicating the action of a complex biosynthesis pathway controlling this trait in oats. Under stressful conditions, the CslF6 expression was more pronounced and associated with β-glucan content. The CslF6 motif has 1767 bases pair and is highly conserved between A and D homoeologs. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were not identified among the assessed genotypes, regardless of the homoeolog. The results presented in this study may contribute for a better understanding of the CslF6 influence on oat β-glucan content.

中文翻译：

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燕麦中纤维素合成酶样 F6 同源物的表征和绝对定量

纤维素合酶样 F6 (CslF6) 基因已被报道为草中 β-葡聚糖合成的关键因素。然而，该基因对燕麦β-葡聚糖含量的作用知之甚少。本研究的目的是：(i) 量化田间条件下燕麦中 CslF6 转录物的绝对表达；(ii) 表征具有不同水平 β-葡聚糖含量的燕麦基因型中的 CslF6 同源物。在两个种植日期的田间条件下收集了五种燕麦基因型的发育籽粒。考虑到全局和同源特异性表达，使用液滴数字 PCR 进行 CslF6 绝对定量。CslF6 基因的第三个外显子覆盖了大约 62.2% 的编码区，在每个同源物中进行了测序。CslF6 的表达受种植日期的影响很大，核发育阶段和基因型。高 CslF6 转录本数与高 β-葡聚糖含量无关，表明复杂的生物合成途径在燕麦中控制该特性。在压力条件下，CslF6 表达更加明显并且与 β-葡聚糖含量相关。CslF6 基序有 1767 个碱基对，在 A 和 D 同源物之间高度保守。无论同源性如何，在评估的基因型中均未发现单核苷酸多态性。本研究中呈现的结果可能有助于更好地了解 CslF6 对燕麦 β-葡聚糖含量的影响。CslF6 表达更明显并且与 β-葡聚糖含量相关。CslF6 基序有 1767 个碱基对，在 A 和 D 同源物之间高度保守。无论同源性如何，在评估的基因型中均未发现单核苷酸多态性。本研究中呈现的结果可能有助于更好地了解 CslF6 对燕麦 β-葡聚糖含量的影响。CslF6 表达更明显并且与 β-葡聚糖含量相关。CslF6 基序有 1767 个碱基对，在 A 和 D 同源物之间高度保守。无论同源性如何，在评估的基因型中均未发现单核苷酸多态性。本研究中呈现的结果可能有助于更好地了解 CslF6 对燕麦 β-葡聚糖含量的影响。