scholarly journals A comprehensive analysis of cotton VQ gene superfamily reveals their potential and extensive roles in regulating cotton abiotic stress

BMC Genomics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengyun Chen ◽  
Fei wei ◽  
Shuaishuai Cheng ◽  
Liang Ma ◽  
Hantao Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Valine-glutamine (VQ) motif-containing proteins play important roles in plant growth, development and abiotic stress response. For many plant species, the VQ genes have been identified and their functions have been described. However, little is known about the origin, evolution, and functions (and underlying mechanisms) of the VQ family genes in cotton. Results In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the characteristics of 268 VQ genes from four Gossypium genomes and found that the VQ proteins evolved into 10 clades, and each clade had a similar structural and conservative motif. The expansion of the VQ gene was mainly through segmental duplication, followed by dispersal. Expression analysis revealed that many GhVQs might play important roles in response to salt and drought stress, and GhVQ18 and GhVQ84 were highly expressed under PEG and salt stress. Further analysis showed that GhVQs were co-expressed with GhWRKY transcription factors (TFs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) could hybridize to their cis-regulatory elements. Conclusions The results in this study broaden our understanding of the VQ gene family in plants, and the analysis of the structure, conserved elements, and expression patterns of the VQs provide a solid foundation for exploring their specific functions in cotton responding to abiotic stresses. Our study provides significant insight into the potential functions of VQ genes in cotton.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengyun Chen ◽  
Fei wei ◽  
Shuaishuai Cheng ◽  
Liang Ma ◽  
Hantao Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Valine-glutamine (VQ) motif-containing proteins play important roles in plant growth, development and abiotic stress response. For many plant species, the VQ genes have been identified and their functions have been described. However, little is known about the origin, evolution, and functions (and underlying mechanisms) of the VQ family genes in cotton.Results: In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the characteristics of 268 VQ genes from four Gossypium genomes and found that the VQ proteins evolved into ten clades, and each clade had a similar structural and conservative motif. The expansion of the VQ gene was mainly through segmental duplication, followed by dispersal. Expression analysis revealed that many GhVQs might play important roles in response to salt and drought stress, and GhVQ18 and GhVQ84 were highly expressed under PEG and salt stress. Further analysis showed that GhVQs were co-expressed with GhWRKY transcription factors (TFs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) could hybridize to their cis-regulatory elements.Conclusions: The results in this study broaden our understanding of the VQ gene family in plants, and the analysis of the structure, conserved elements, and expression patterns of the VQs provide a solid foundation for exploring their specific functions in cotton responding to abiotic stresses. Our study provides significant insight into the potential functions of VQ genes in cotton.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuxun Yu ◽  
Pengyun Chen ◽  
Fei wei ◽  
Shuaishuai Cheng ◽  
Liang Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Valine-glutamine (VQ) motif-containing proteins play important roles in plant growth, development and abiotic stress response. For many plant species, the VQ genes have been identified and their functions have been described. However, little is known about the origin, evolution, and functions (and underlying mechanisms) of the VQ family genes in cotton. Results In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the characteristics of 268 VQ genes from four Gossypium genomes and found that the VQ proteins evolved into ten clades, and each clade had a similar structural and conservative motif. The expansion of the VQ gene was mainly through segmental duplication, followed by dispersal. Expression analysis revealed that the VQ genes play important roles in response to salt and drought stress, especially GhVQ18 and GhVQ84 were significantly high expression in PEG stress and salt stress. Further analysis showed that GhVQ genes were co-expressed with GhWRKY transcription factors (TFs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) could hybridize to their cis-regulatory elements. Conclusions The results in this study broaden our understanding of the VQ gene family in plants, and the analysis of the structure, conserved elements, and expression patterns of the VQ genes provide a solid foundation for exploring their specific functions in the abiotic stress responses in cotton. Our study provides significant insight into the potential functions of VQ genes in cotton.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruifeng Cui ◽  
Xiaoge Wang ◽  
Waqar Afzal Malik ◽  
Xuke Lu ◽  
Xiugui Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Raffinose synthetase (RAFS) genes superfamily is critical for the synthesis of raffinose, which accumulates in plant leaves under abiotic stress. However, it remains unclear whether RAFS contributes to resistance to abiotic stress in plants, specifically in the Gossypium species. Results In this study, we identified 74 RAFS genes from G. hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. arboreum and G. raimondii by using a series of bioinformatic methods. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the RAFS gene family in the four Gossypium species could be divided into four major clades; the relatively uniform distribution of the gene number in each species ranged from 12 to 25 based on species ploidy, most likely resulting from an ancient whole-genome polyploidization. Gene motif analysis showed that the RAFS gene structure was relatively conservative. Promoter analysis for cis-regulatory elements showed that some RAFS genes might be regulated by gibberellins and abscisic acid, which might influence their expression levels. Moreover, we further examined the functions of RAFS under cold, heat, salt and drought stress conditions, based on the expression profile and co-expression network of RAFS genes in Gossypium species. Transcriptome analysis suggested that RAFS genes in clade III are highly expressed in organs such as seed, root, cotyledon, ovule and fiber, and under abiotic stress in particular, indicating the involvement of genes belonging to clade III in resistance to abiotic stress. Gene co-expressed network analysis showed that GhRFS2A-GhRFS6A, GhRFS6D, GhRFS7D and GhRFS8A-GhRFS11A were key genes, with high expression levels under salt, drought, cold and heat stress. Conclusion The findings may provide insights into the evolutionary relationships and expression patterns of RAFS genes in Gossypium species and a theoretical basis for the identification of stress resistance materials in cotton.


BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqing Zheng ◽  
Liang Du

Abstract Background The deubiquitinase (DUB) family constitutes a group of proteases that regulate the stability or reverse the ubiquitination of many proteins in the cell. These enzymes participate in cell-cycle regulation, cell division and differentiation, diverse physiological activities such as DNA damage repair, growth and development, and response to stress. However, limited information is available on this family of genes in woody plants. Results In the present study, 88 DUB family genes were identified in the woody model plant Populus trichocarpa, comprising 44 PtrUBP, 3 PtrUCH, 23 PtrOTU, 4 PtrMJD, and 14 PtrJAMM genes with similar domains. According to phylogenetic analysis, the PtrUBP genes were classified into 16 groups, the PtrUCH genes into two, the PtrOTU genes into eight, the PtrMJD genes into two, and the PtrJAMM genes into seven. Members of same subfamily had similar gene structure and motif distribution characteristics. Synteny analysis of the DUB family genes from P. thrchocarpa and four other plant species provided insight into the evolutionary traits of DUB genes. Expression profiles derived from previously published transcriptome data revealed distinct expression patterns of DUB genes in various tissues. On the basis of the results of analysis of promoter cis-regulatory elements, we selected 16 representative PtrUBP genes to treatment with abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, or salicylic acid applied as a foliar spray. The majority of PtrUBP genes were upregulated in response to the phytohormone treatments, which implied that the genes play potential roles in abiotic stress response in Populus. Conclusions The results of this study broaden our understanding of the DUB family in plants. Analysis of the gene structure, conserved elements, and expression patterns of the DUB family provides a solid foundation for exploration of their specific functions in Populus and to elucidate the potential role of PtrUBP gene in abiotic stress response.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqing Zheng ◽  
Liang Du

Abstract Background: The deubiquitinases (DUB) family are a class of enzymes that regulate the stability or reverse the ubiquitination modification of many proteins in the cell, participating in cell cycle regulation, cell division and differentiation, various physiological activities such as DNA damage repair, growth and development, and response to stress. However, little is known about these genes in the woody plants. Results: In the present study, 88 DUB genes were identified in woody model plant Populus trichocarpa, including 44 PtrUBP, 3 PtrUCH, 23 PtrOTU, 4 PtrMJD, and 14 PtrJAMM with similar domains. According to the phylogenetic analysis, the 44 PtrUBP genes were classified into 14 subfamily, three PtrUCHs were classified into two groups, 23 PtrOTUs had six groups, four PtrMJDs had two groups, and 14 PtrJAMMs had six groups. The structure and motif analysis indicated that the same subfamily had similar genome structure and motif distribution characteristics. Ks/Ka analysis showed that the segmental duplication events played a major role in the expansion of Populus DUB genes. Synteny analysis of Populus DUB genes and four other species provided deep perception into the evolutionary traits of DUB genes. Expression profiles derived from transcriptome data exhibited distinct expression patterns of DUB genes in various tissues. Based on the result of promoter cis-regulatory elements analysis, we selected 16 representative PtrUBP genes to test their response to different hormonal treatments. The results showed that most of PtrUBPs were upregulated in the ABA, SA, and MeJA treatments, implying that their potential roles in abiotic stress response in Populus. Conclusion: The results in this study broaden our understanding of the DUB gene family in plants, and the analysis of the structure, conserved elements, and expression patterns of the DUBs provide a solid foundation for exploring their specific functions in Populus as well as indicate potential role of PtrUBP gene in abiotic stress.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12484
Author(s):  
Zilin Zhao ◽  
Jiaran Shuang ◽  
Zhaoguo Li ◽  
Huimin Xiao ◽  
Yuling Liu ◽  
...  

Background Golden2-Like (GLK) transcription factors are a type of transcriptional regulator in plants. They play a pivotal role in the plant physiological activity process and abiotic stress response. Methods In this study, the potential function of GLK family genes in Gossypium hirsutum was studied based on genomic identification, phylogenetic analysis, chromosome mapping and cis-regulatory elements prediction. Gene expression of nine key genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR experiments. Results Herein, we identified a total of 146 GhGLK genes in Gossypium hirsutum, which were unevenly distributed on each of the chromosomes. There were significant differences in the number and location of genes between the At sub-genome and the Dt sub-genome. According to the phylogenetic analysis, they were divided into ten subgroups, each of which had very similar number and structure of exons and introns. Some cis-regulatory elements were identified through promoter analysis, including five types of elements related to abiotic stress response, five types of elements related to phytohormone and five types of elements involved in growth and development. Based on public transcriptome data analysis, we identified nine key GhGLKs involved in salt, cold, and drought stress. The qRT-PCR results showed that these genes had different expression patterns under these stress conditions, suggesting that GhGLK genes played an important role in abiotic stress response. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the screening and functional verification of genes related to stress resistance of GLK gene family in cotton.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2238
Author(s):  
Muhammad Hussnain Siddique ◽  
Naeem Iqbal Babar ◽  
Roshan Zameer ◽  
Saima Muzammil ◽  
Nazia Nahid ◽  
...  

Potassium is the most important and abundant inorganic cation in plants and it can comprise up to 10% of a plant’s dry weight. Plants possess complex systems of transporters and channels for the transport of K+ from soil to numerous parts of plants. Cajanus cajan is cultivated in different regions of the world as an economical source of carbohydrates, fiber, proteins, and fodder for animals. In the current study, 39 K+ transport genes were identified in C. cajan, including 25 K+ transporters (17 carrier-like K+ transporters (KUP/HAK/KTs), 2 high-affinity potassium transporters (HKTs), and 6 K+ efflux transporters (KEAs) and 14 K+ channels (9 shakers and 5 tandem-pore K+ channels (TPKs). Chromosomal mapping indicated that these genes were randomly distributed among 10 chromosomes. A comparative phylogenetic analysis including protein sequences from Glycine max, Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Medicago truncatula Cicer arietinum, and C. cajan suggested vital conservation of K+ transport genes. Gene structure analysis showed that the intron/exon organization of K+ transporter and channel genes is highly conserved in a family-specific manner. In the promoter region, many cis-regulatory elements were identified related to abiotic stress, suggesting their role in abiotic stress response. Abiotic stresses (salt, heat, and drought) adversely affect chlorophyll, carotenoids contents, and total soluble proteins. Furthermore, the activities of catalase, superoxide, and peroxidase were altered in C. cajan leaves under applied stresses. Expression analysis (RNA-seq data and quantitative real-time PCR) revealed that several K+ transport genes were expressed in abiotic stress-responsive manners. The present study provides an in-depth understanding of K+ transport system genes in C. cajan and serves as a basis for further characterization of these genes.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1949
Author(s):  
Tian Fan ◽  
Tianxiao Lv ◽  
Chuping Xie ◽  
Yuping Zhou ◽  
Changen Tian

Members of the IQM (IQ-Motif Containing) gene family are involved in plant growth and developmental processes, biotic and abiotic stress response. To systematically analyze the IQM gene family and their expression profiles under diverse biotic and abiotic stresses, we identified 8 IQM genes in the rice genome. In the current study, the whole genome identification and characterization of OsIQMs, including the gene and protein structure, genome localization, phylogenetic relationship, gene expression and yeast two-hybrid were performed. Eight IQM genes were classified into three subfamilies (I–III) according to the phylogenetic analysis. Gene structure and protein motif analyses showed that these IQM genes are relatively conserved within each subfamily of rice. The 8 OsIQM genes are distributed on seven out of the twelve chromosomes, with three IQM gene pairs involved in segmental duplication events. The evolutionary patterns analysis revealed that the IQM genes underwent a large-scale event within the last 20 to 9 million years. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR analysis of eight OsIQMs genes displayed different expression patterns at different developmental stages and in different tissues as well as showed that most IQM genes were responsive to PEG, NaCl, jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid (ABA) treatment, suggesting their crucial roles in biotic, and abiotic stress response. Additionally, a yeast two-hybrid assay showed that OsIQMs can interact with OsCaMs, and the IQ motif of OsIQMs is required for OsIQMs to combine with OsCaMs. Our results will be valuable to further characterize the important biological functions of rice IQM genes.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
PeiLong Wang ◽  
XiaoJin Lei ◽  
JiaXin Lv ◽  
caiqiu gao

Abstract Background: Trehalose is a nonreducing disaccharide with high stability and strong water absorption properties that can improve the resistance of organisms to various abiotic stresses. Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) plays important roles in trehalose metabolism and signaling. Results: A full-length cDNA of ThTPS was cloned from Tamarix hispida. The phylogenetic tree among ThTPS and 11 AtTPS in Arabidopsis indicates that the ThTPS protein had a close evolutionary relationship with AtTPS7. However, the function of AtTPS7 has not been determined. To analyze the abiotic stress tolerance function of ThTPS, the expression patterns of ThTPS were monitored under salt and drought stress and JA, ABA and GA3 hormone stimulation in T. hispida by qRT-PCR. The results showed that ThTPS expression was clearly induced by these 5 kinds of treatments at at least one studied point. Particularly under salt stress, ThTPS was highly induced in the roots of T. hispda. Furthermore, the ThTPS gene was transiently overexpressed in T. hispida. The results of physiological indexes and staining showed that overexpression of the ThTPS gene increased T. hispida salt and drought stress tolerance. Conclusion: The ThTPS gene can respond to abiotic stress such as salt and drought, and overexpression of ThTPS gene can significantly improve salt and drought tolerance. These findings establish a foundation to better understand the response of TPS genes to abiotic stress in plants.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruimei Li ◽  
Yuqing Wang ◽  
Yangjiao Zhou ◽  
Tingting Qiu ◽  
Yu Song ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The calcium (Ca2+)-dependent phospholipid binding protein annexin gene family, which is known to be related to membrane lipid and cytoskeletal components, is involved in a diverse range of biological functions. However, in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), no studies focusing on the roles of annexin genes in response to abiotic stresses, calcium, and hormones have been informed. Results 12 annexin genes were found and assigned to eight chromosomes in the cassava genome. All of the MeAnns contain a typical annexin domain with four 70-amino acid repeats. The MeAnns are classified into six groups in the phylogenetic tree. In their promoter regions, MeAnns possess at least 3 hormone response-related cis-elements and 1 abiotic stress response-related cis-acting element. MeAnn1, MeAnn2 and MeAnn5 exhibit very high levels of expression in each tested organs or tissues. By contrast, MeAnn12 exhibits very low levels in all the tested organs or tissues. qRT-PCR analysis indicates that both MeAnn5 and MeAnn9 have significantly high expression in leaves after cold, drought, and salt treatments and are highly responsive to CaCl2, GA and JA treatments. MeAnn2 and MeAnn10 are significantly downregulated in leaves by cold, drought and salt stress and negatively respond to CaCl2, GA and JA. The expression patterns of MeAnns under cold, drought, and salt stress are irregular in shoots. In roots, MeAnn1 and MeAnn9 are downregulated by cold, CaCl2 and JA treatments, while their other gene expression patterns are irregular. Conclutions In this study, we identified annexin genes in cassava and our expression profiling analysis demonstrated that cassava annexin genes responded to multiple stresses. Our results laid the foundation for further study of the function of cassava anesxin genes and provided an entry point for understanding the response mechanism of cassava to abiotic stress.


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