Genome-wide identification of CDPKs in jujube and expression profile analysis in response to multiple biological processes

TL;DR

This study identifies and analyzes 21 calcium-dependent protein kinase genes in jujube, revealing their roles in growth, stress responses, and interactions with transcription factors.

Contribution

The first genome-wide identification and expression analysis of CDPKs in jujube, revealing gene structures, subgroups, and stress-related expression patterns.

Findings

21 ZjCDPK genes were identified and distributed across eight chromosomes in jujube.

ZjCDPKs showed conserved motifs and gene structures, except for ZjCDPK9 and ZjCDPK21.

Expression profiles revealed ZjCDPKs respond to phytoplasma infection, cold, and salt stresses.

Abstract

As calcium responders, calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) play an important role in plant growth and development and in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, information on CDPKs in jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) (ZjCDPKs) is limited. In the current study, a total of 21 ZjCDPKs were identified, which are located on eight chromosomes. Gene structure and conserved motif analysis showed that all ZjCDPKs have similar gene structures and conserved motifs, except for ZjCDPK9 and ZjCDPK21. The CDPKs from Arabidopsis, rice, tomato, alfalfa, and jujube were divided into eight subgroups, and the members of ZjCDPKs were unevenly distributed across these subgroups. Colinear analysis revealed that 12 homozygous CDPKs were detected between jujube and Arabidopsis, and 14 pairs were found between jujube and tomato. Additionally, four types of cis-acting elements were identified in the promoters of the ZjCDPKs, including hormone, stress, development, and light response elements. The expression profiles of ZjCDPKs at different fruit growth stages, in response to phytoplasma infection, cold, and salt stresses revealed that most ZjCDPKs were either up- or down-regulated. Finally, varying numbers of transcription factors were observed to interact with the promoter region of ZjCDPK4/6/7/8/10/14/16 and showed opposite expression patterns in response to cold or salt stress. The systematic analysis of ZjCDPKs provides important information for further functional characterization of CDPKs in jujube in response to multiple biological processes.

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