Genome-wide analysis of amino acid transporter genes reveals their potential roles in drought stress and drought-associated disease responses in peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Jul 2026· CTU Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development· 0 citations· 28 references
TL;DR
A genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of the peanut AAT gene family and identifies candidate genes for future functional studies on stress-associated amino acid transport and metabolic adjustment in peanut roots are provided.
Abstract
Amino acid transporters (AATs) are central to nitrogen allocation, amino acid distribution, and metabolic adjustment in plants, but this gene family has not been systematically characterized in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea). In this study, 30 AAT genes were identified from the peanut genome and analyzed for chromosomal distribution, protein properties, gene structure, phylogenetic relationships, and expression profiles. The identified ArahyAAT genes were unevenly distributed across 18 chromosomes and showed marked variation in exon-intron organization, which indicates structural diversification within the family. Transcriptome analysis revealed different expression patterns across vegetative and reproductive tissues, with several genes showing preferential expression in roots, nodules, and reproductive organs. To assess their stress responsiveness, five root low-expression genes were selected for RT-qPCR analysis under drought stress and combined drought stress plus charcoal rot infection. ArahyAAT04, ArahyAAT09, and ArahyAAT21 were induced under drought stress, while ArahyAAT07 showed strong induction under the combined treatment. ArahyAAT23 showed limited transcriptional change across the tested conditions. These results suggest that specific ArahyAAT genes may contribute to stress-associated amino acid transport and metabolic adjustment in peanut roots. This study provides a genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of the peanut AAT gene family and identifies candidate genes for future functional studies on...
NAC proteins are a large family of plant transcription factors that play a key role in growth, development and responses to abiotic stress (drought, salinity). Various genomic studies across several species have identified NAC genes with specific responses to cold, drought and salinity. This study conducts a comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic analysis of FaNAC genes in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) to elucidate their role in response to drought and salinity. Using RNA-seq and validation by RT-qPCR, thirty-five FaNAC genes were identified that showed differential expression under both stress conditions. Their expression profiles were highly specific to tissue and stimulus type: some were induced in leaves and roots under both conditions, whilst others showed restricted induction. This suggests a specialised regulatory network rather than a uniform response. Phylogenetically, the FaNAC genes showed high homology with Arabidopsis orthologues and conserved collinearity between subgenomes. The promoters contained cis elements associated with hormones and stress, particularly ABA and MeJA. FaNAC6 was selected for its strong induction in leaves and roots in response to drought and salinity, as well as under oxidative stress and ABA. Its overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana increased stress tolerance, improving photosynthesis and water-use efficiency, and was associated with the upregulation of genes involved in photosystems, electron transport and carbon fixation. Overall, FaNAC6 emerges as a promising candidate for further evaluation in strawberry breeding strategies to improve drought and salinity resilience.
Facundo Spadoni-Revol, M. D. Moreno-Recio, Sara Aguado-Delgado et al.· International Journal of Mol...· 0 citations
It is demonstrated that heterologous expression of TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2 and TksPLATZ7 localize to the cell nucleus and act as transcriptional activators and repressors, respectively, which enhances the tolerance of Arabidopsis to salt and osmotic stress.
Jinxian Chen, Wenhao Wu, Ming-Hua Luo et al.· Phytochemistry· 0 citations
B-BOX (BBX) transcription factors regulate plant growth and drought tolerance, whereas comprehensive characterization of BBX gene families in gymnosperms remains scarce. We identified 13 TgBBXs in Torreya grandis at the genome-wide level, and phylogenetic analysis grouped them into five subgroups consistent with the conserved classification of plant BBX members. Promoter analysis revealed abundant light hormone and stress related cis-elements, and the TgBBXs displayed distinct expression patterns across various tissues and reproductive developmental stages. PEG-triggered drought decreased leaf chlorophyll, accompanied by increased root H2O2, APX and POD levels. Transcriptome data showed obvious tissue-specific expression and organ-dependent drought responses; most of TgBBX5–TgBBX12 were continuously upregulated in leaves under PEG treatment, whereas several members declined in roots. WGCNA further indicated that the MEturquoise module, which contained most TgBBXs, was closely associated with chlorophyll accumulation and antioxidant responses. Among these genes, TgBBX2, TgBBX7, and TgBBX13 with module membership over 0.9 are putative hub genes, and their associated genes enrich in photosynthesis and antioxidant pathways. This study systematically characterized the BBX family in T. grandis for the first time and identified key drought-responsive genes, providing valuable resources for drought-tolerant molecular breeding of this economically important gymnosperm.
Weijie Chen, Xuanzi Zhang, Xiao Liu et al.· Horticulturae· 0 citations
Drought stress driven by global climate change critically restricts mulberry growth. The identification of drought-responsive genes in the Yunnan-adapted Yunsang cultivar is essential for mitigating environmental constraints on sericulture. In this study, seedlings of the mulberry cultivar Yunsang-2 were subjected to drought stress under greenhouse conditions. Leaf samples were collected for physiological analysis (proline content and CAT and POD activities) and transcriptome profiling via RNA-Seq. The results revealed that compared with the plants in the CK group, the drought-stressed plants had significantly increased CAT and POD activities by 7 days post-stress (DPS) and accumulated markedly greater amounts of proline at 9 and 12 DPS. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that drought resistance involves key genes enriched in the abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin (GA), and brassinosteroid (BR) signaling pathways, such as PYR, ABF, PIF3, and BSK. Furthermore, we identified 156 TFs as potential regulatory hubs. Among these genes, MnERF21 was tentatively identified as a candidate positive regulator of drought resistance. Our findings systematically elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in mulberry and provide novel insights into the drought resistance strategies of Yunnan-adapted germplasms.
Jie Li, Yi Deng, Qirong Ma et al.· BMC Plant Biology· 0 citations
Introduction Drought is a major abiotic stress limiting the growth and ecological adaptation of tropical and subtropical trees. The SnRK2 gene family is a core regulator in ABA signaling and drought response pathways. However, genome-wide identification and functional characterization of the SnRK2 family remain unclear in Bombax ceiba, a typical drought-tolerant tropical pioneer tree species with important ecological and economic value. Methods We performed genome-wide identification of the BcSnRK2 gene family using bioinformatics approaches. Phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, cis-acting elements, chromosomal localization, and protein structures were systematically analyzed. Subcellular localization was verified by transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. Tissue-specific expression and drought-responsive patterns were detected by qRT-PCR under 10% PEG6000 treatment. Protein–protein interaction networks were predicted using the STRING database. Results A total of nine BcSnRK2 genes were identified and unevenly distributed across eight chromosomes. All BcSnRK2 proteins contained conserved kinase domains and shared a highly conserved exon–intron structure. Promoter regions harbored abundant ABA-responsive and stress-related cis-elements. BcSnRK2 genes exhibited distinct tissue-specific expression profiles. All genes were significantly induced by drought stress in a tissue- and time-dependent manner, with BcSnRK2.9 and BcSnRK2.7 showing strong and sustained activation in shoots and BcSnRK2.7 and BcSnRK2.3 responding prominently in roots. BcSnRK2 proteins were localized in the cytoplasm, plasma membrane, and nucleus, and were predicted to interact with core components of the ABA signaling pathway. Discussion The BcSnRK2 family exhibits evolutionary conservation and functional divergence in Bombax ceiba. The compact size of the SnRK2 family, conserved structural features, and distinct tissue-specific drought response patterns are consistent with a streamlined stress signaling system that may contribute to the ecological adaptation of Bombax ceiba in seasonally dry tropical environments, although formal evolutionary analyses are required to establish adaptive significance. This study provides valuable gene resources for drought resistance breeding of woody plants and advances the understanding of stress signaling mechanisms in tropical trees.
Yu-Mei Shi, Zhifang Zhang, Ruoxin He et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
