Comparative genomic analysis of the COBRA genes in six Rosaceae species and expression analysis in Chinese white pear ( Pyrus bretschneideri ).

genes encode a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring protein unique to plants. In current study, 87 genes were identified in 6 Rosaceae species, including (16 genes), (22 genes), (13 genes), (11 genes), (13 genes) and (12 genes). We revealed the evolution of the gene in six Rosaceae species by phylogeny, gene structure, conservative sequence, hydrophobicity analysis, gene replication events and sliding window analysis. In addition, based on the analysis of expression patterns in pear fruit combined with bioinformatics, we identified and as potential genes regulating secondary cell wall (SCW) formation during pear stone cell development. This study aimed to understand the evolutionary relationship of the gene in Rosaceae species, clarify the potential function of in pear fruit development, and provide essential theoretical basis and gene resources for improving pear fruit quality through genetical modification mechanism.