Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the OSCA gene family in Pyrus bretschneideri
Responses to osmotic change are critical for plant survival, development, and reproduction. Hyperosmolality-induced cytosolic free calcium concentration [(Ca2+)i] increase (OSCAs) proteins have been described as osmosensors in plants and animals. To investigate functional roles of OSCA genes (PbrOSCAs) in pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.), bioinformatics, and expression analyses of the PbrOSCAs were performed. Sixteen PbrOSCA members were identified in the pear genome. PbrOSCA family members were classified into four clades by sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Moreover, protein structure analysis indicated that the 16 PbrOSCA members shared similar structures with their homologues in Arabidopsis and rice. Multi-transmembrane patterns and ion transport pore sites of PbrOSCAs were conserved, and expression profiles of PbrOSCA varied among tissues and with osmotic stress conditions. In particular, expression levels of six PbrOSCAs gradually increased with time during osmotic stress, suggesting that PbrOSCAs may play regulatory roles in plant osmotic stress responses.