Genome-Wide Analysis of the F35H Gene Family in Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Provides Insights into the Regulation of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis

The F3 ' 5 ' H gene family plays an important role in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis, abiotic stress, and hormone signaling. In this study, 14 F3'5'H genes were identified from the blueberry genome. The chromosomal distribution, physicochemical properties, F3'5'H domain, conserved motifs, cis-acting elements, and intron/exon compositions were analyzed. The functional prediction analysis of these VcF3'5'Hs indicated that their biological functions included light response and other secondary metabolites. The results of qRT-PCR showed that VcF3'5'Hs (especially VcF3'5'H4) were highly expressed at the ripening stage. Subcellular localization revealed that VcF3'5'H4 may be located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Co-expression analysis showed that the VcF3'5'H gene family was related to anthocyanin. This research provides an overview of the blueberry F3'5'H family and helps verify the role of these genes in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis.