Abstract:

The aim of this study was to gain the information about syntaxin family genes involved in resisting to powdery mildew infection in melon. A total of 17 syntaxin family genes were identified in the genome of melon using bioinformatics approach，which were randomly and unevenly distributed on nine respective chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that melon syntaxin proteins could be classified into seven main groups（SYP-1，SYP-2，SYP-3，SYP-4，SYP-5，SYP-7，SYP-8），suggesting that each syntaxin functions in different pathways. This gene family in melon contained 1–12 introns. Besides，10 syntaxin genes significantly expressed in almost all tissues and seven syntaxin genes expressed only in specific tissue. Furthermore, nine syntaxin genes were up or down-regulated following powdery mildew infection and nine genes were co-expressed with CmMLO family genes in melon，indicating these genes might play important roles in resisting to powdery mildew disease in melon.

Key words: melon, syntaxin, phylogenetic analysis, expression analysis, powdery mildew disease