# Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Stress-Responsive SNARE Genes in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

## TL;DR

This study identifies and characterizes 88 SNARE genes in quinoa, highlighting CqSNAP30a's role in enhancing stress resistance in plants.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of quinoa SNARE genes and identifies CqSNAP30a as a key player in stress tolerance.

## Key findings

- 88 CqSNARE genes were identified and classified into 23 subfamilies in quinoa.
- CqSNAP30a is significantly upregulated under saline–alkaline stress and enhances stress resistance in plants.
- CqSNAP30a improves stress tolerance by regulating ion balance, antioxidant capacity, and photosynthesis efficiency.

## Abstract

SNARE proteins are crucial for plant development and stress response. Quinoa is a nutrient-rich crop with strong tolerance to harsh environmental conditions. In this study, 88 CqSNARE genes were identified in quinoa. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on the gene family members. Transcriptome analysis indicates that CqSNAP30a plays a crucial role in saline–alkaline stress response. When constitutively overexpressed in plants, CqSNAP30a enhances stress resistance by regulating ion balance, antioxidant capacity and photosynthesis efficiency. Our findings provide important insights into CqSNARE genes in quinoa and build a theoretical foundation for improving crop stress tolerance through genetic improvement.

Plant SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) constitute a large superfamily and play pivotal roles in diverse biological processes and responses to various abiotic stresses. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa wild.) is a nutritionally superior crop endowed with robust tolerance to environmental stresses. In this study, we identified 88 CqSNARE genes in quinoa, which are unevenly distributed across 18 chromosomes and classified into 23 subfamilies. We systematically analyzed their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene and protein structures, and cis-acting elements. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis of quinoa leaves under saline–alkaline stress revealed that CqSNAP30a was the most significantly upregulated. This gene is predominantly expressed in leaves and localized on the plasma membrane. Constitutive expression of CqSNAP30a enhanced plant stress resistance by regulating ion homeostasis and antioxidant capacity. Our findings provide valuable insights into the SNARE genes of stress-tolerant crops and lays a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of stress resilience.