Objective  To identify and study the genes in strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) which related to the synthesis of metacaspases (MCs), the enzymes that played vital roles in regulating the programmed cell death (PCD) in plants.

  Method  The physiochemical properties, conserved domains, phylogenetic relationships and conserved motifs of FaMC proteins were analyzed based on strawberry whole genome data. The expressions of FaMC genes in 6 tissues and 6 fruit development stages of strawberry were carried out by qRT-PCR.

  Result  The 21 FaMC proteins identified in this study could be divided into Type-I, Type-I*, and Type-II based on the differences on their sequences. The phylogenetic trees and conserved domains of the 3 different types showed the differentiations between them. Type-I FaMC protein consisted of N-terminal domain (NTD) with one zinc finger motif, Type-I* consisted of NTD but no zinc finger, and Type-II had not NTD. The FaMC genes were distinctively differently expressed in different tissues and developmental stages. Type-I expressed in the leaves, Type-I* in the roots, and Type-II in the flowers. And, during the berry development stage, most Type-I* exhibited a high-low-high U-pattern of changes, whereas, part of Type-I and Type-II had a reversed U-pattern.

  Conclusion  FaMC genes were identified to be closely related to the synthesis of metacaspases that played important roles in the development and growth of strawberry plants.