Abstract

The SCF complex, a type of E3 ubiquitin ligase, plays a crucial role in regulating various cellular processes by targeting specific substrates for degradation. These processes include cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, transcription, and apoptosis. SKP1, also known as S-phase kinase-associated protein 1, is a key component of the Skp1-Cullin1-F-box (SCF) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. It acts as a linker protein that facilitates the interaction between Cullin and F-box proteins. SKP1 is essential for plant growth and development, particularly in processes like pollen tube elongation and self-incompatibility mechanisms. In this study, we identified 19 genes belonging to the LbSKP1 family in the Lycium barbarum genome, located on six different chromosomes. Based on gene structure and sequence analysis, we classified these genes into three types: type Ia genes are mostly intronless, type Ib genes typically have a single intron, and type IIc genes contain multiple introns. Tissue-specific expression profiling revealed that LbSKP1-14 is highly expressed in Lycium barbarum pollen. The cloned LbSKP1-14 gene shares sequence similarity with PhSSK1 , a gene involved in self-incompatibility recognition in tobacco. Subcellular localization studies showed that LbSKP1-14 is present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. The results of the yeast two-hybrid assay revealed that LbSKP1-14 specifically interacts with both S 2 -LbSLF4, S 2 -LbSLF9 and S 2 -LbSLF13. This research lays the foundation for further exploration of the role and mechanism of the SKP1 gene in regulating self-incompatibility in Lycium barbarum . It also provides genetic resources that can be utilized for molecular breeding of self-compatible varieties within the Lycium barbarum germplasm pool.