Genome-Wide Analysis and Stress-Responsive Expression of Eceriferum (CER) Genes in Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

Plants use various structural and biochemical mechanisms to cope with environmental stress, with the cuticle wax layer acting as a key barrier. The Eceriferum (CER) gene family encodes key enzymes in wax biosynthesis and plays vital roles in stress resilience; however, its genome-wide characterization and expression dynamics remain unexplored in strawberry (Fragaria vesca). This study provides the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the FvCER gene family in strawberry, characterizing its members and defining their transcriptional responses to multiple, distinct stressors. Using genome-wide bioinformatic analyses, 22 FvCER genes (FvCER1–FvCER22) were identified and systematically characterized in terms of gene structure, protein motifs, chromosomal distribution, and evolutionary relationships across eight Rosaceae species. Expression profiling by RT-qPCR revealed that several FvCER members, particularly FvCER1, FvCER2, FvCER5, FvCER6, FvCER8, and FvCER9, were markedly upregulated (~4 to ~10-fold) in leaves and roots under drought conditions, with peak induction occurring on day 14 of stress exposure. Salinity also induced moderate increases (~2 to ~4-fold) in FvCER8 and FvCER9, indicating partial responsiveness to osmotic stress. Conversely, biotic stresses triggered a different set of genes; FvCER11 was up-regulated by viroid infection (~5-fold), while FvCER12 was strongly induced by nematode infection (~6-fold), suggesting specialized roles in pathogen defense. Together, these findings demonstrate that the FvCER gene family exhibits distinct and stress-specific transcriptional patterns. This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the FvCER gene family in strawberry and highlights their potential utility in breeding stress-tolerant cultivars.