1. Genome-wide survey of KT/HAK/KUP genes in the genus Citrullus and analysis of their involvement in K + -deficiency and drought stress responses in between C. lanatus and C. amarus.
- Author
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Cheng R, Zhao Z, Tang Y, Gu Y, Chen G, Sun Y, and Wang X
- Subjects
- Potassium metabolism, Gene Expression Regulation, Plant, Genome, Plant, Multigene Family, Cation Transport Proteins genetics, Cation Transport Proteins metabolism, Potassium Deficiency genetics, Potassium Deficiency metabolism, Promoter Regions, Genetic, Citrullus genetics, Citrullus metabolism, Citrullus growth & development, Stress, Physiological genetics, Plant Proteins genetics, Plant Proteins metabolism, Droughts, Phylogeny
- Abstract
Background: The KT/HAK/KUP is the largest K
+ transporter family in plants, playing crucial roles in K+ absorption, transport, and defense against environmental stress. Sweet watermelon is an economically significant horticultural crop belonging to the genus Citrullus, with a high demand for K+ during its growth process. However, a comprehensive analysis of the KT/HAK/KUP gene family in watermelon has not been reported., Results: 14 KT/HAK/KUP genes were identified in the genomes of each of seven Citrullus species. These KT/HAK/KUPs in watermelon were unevenly distributed across seven chromosomes. Segmental duplication is the primary driving force behind the expansion of the KT/HAK/KUP family, subjected to purifying selection during domestication (Ka/Ks < 1), and all KT/HAK/KUPs exhibit conserved motifs and could be phylogenetically classified into four groups. The promoters of KT/HAK/KUPs contain numerous cis-regulatory elements related to plant growth and development, phytohormone response, and stress response. Under K+ deficiency, the growth of watermelon seedlings was significantly inhibited, with cultivated watermelon experiencing greater impacts (canopy width, redox enzyme activity) compared to the wild type. All KT/HAK/KUPs in C. lanatus and C. amarus exhibit specific expression responses to K+ -deficiency and drought stress by qRT-PCR. Notably, ClG42_07g0120700/CaPI482276_07g014010 were predominantly expressed in roots and were further induced by K+ -deficiency and drought stress. Additionally, the K+ transport capacity of ClG42_07g0120700 under low K+ stress was confirmed by yeast functional complementation assay., Conclusions: KT/HAK/KUP genes in watermelon were systematically identified and analyzed at the pangenome level and provide a foundation for understanding the classification and functions of the KT/HAK/KUPs in watermelon plants., (© 2024. The Author(s).)- Published
- 2024
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