Characterization and expression analysis of chalcone synthase gene family members suggested their roles in the male sterility of a wheat temperature-sensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) line

•The wheat CHS family members were identified.•Several TaCHSs showed anther-specific expression patterns.•TaCHSs co-expressed with potential anther sporopollenin biosynthetic genes.•TaLAP5 (TaCHS3, TaCHS10) and TaLAP6 (TaCHS64, TaCHS67) may be involved in the cold-induced male sterility in BS366. Chalcone synthase (CHS), also known as the plants-specific type III polyketide synthases (PKSs), catalyzes the first key step in the biosynthesis of plant flavonoids. Flavonoids are one of the most important secondary metabolites which participate in flower pigmentation and pollen fertility. Recent reports have demonstrated the role of the CHS family in plant pollen exine formation. This study focused on the potential roles of CHS in the pollen exine formation of wheat. In the present study, a genome-wide investigation of the CHS family was carried out, and 87 CHS genes were identified in wheat. TaCHS3, TaCHS10, and TaCHS13 are wheat orthologs of Arabidopsis LESS ADHESIVE POLLEN (LAP5); TaCHS58, TaCHS64, and TaCHS67 are wheat orthologs of AtLAP6. TaCHS3, TaCHS10, and TaCHS67 showed anther-specific patterns. The expression of TaCHS3, TaCHS10, and TaCHS67 was positively co-expressed with sporopollenin biosynthetic genes, including TaCYP703A2, TaCYP704B1, TaDRL1, TaTKPR2, and TaMS2. Coincidently, the expression of TaCHS3, TaCHS10, and TaCHS67, together with those sporopollenin biosynthetic genes, were repressed at the tetrads and uninucleate stages in the temperature-sensitive genic male-sterile (TGMS) line BS366 under sterile conditions. Wheat anther-specific CHS genes might participate in the exine formation of BS366 through co-expressing with sporopollenin biosynthetic genes, which will undoubtedly provide knowledge of the roles of CHS in wheat pollen development.