Comprehensive Analysis of β-1,3-Glucanase Genes in Wolfberry and Their Implications in Pollen Development

β-1,3-Glucanases (Glu) are key enzymes involved in plant defense and physiological processes through the hydrolysis of β-1,3-glucans. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the β-1,3-glucanase gene family in wolfberry (<i>Lycium barbarum</i>), including their chromosomal distribution, evolutionary relationships, and expression profiles. A total of 58 <i>Glu</i> genes were identified, distributed across all 12 chromosomes. Evolutionary analysis revealed six distinct branches within wolfberry and nine distinct branches when compared with <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>. Expression analysis showed that 45 <i>Glu</i> genes were expressed in berries, with specific genes also being expressed in flowers and leaves. Notably, <i>LbaGlu28</i> exhibited significant expression during the tetrad stage of pollen development and was localized in the cell wall. These findings provide valuable insights into the functional significance of <i>Glu</i> genes in wolfberry, highlighting their roles in development and their potential involvement in reproductive processes, particularly in pollen development.