Characterization of MATE Gene Family And Its Role In Drought, Heat, And Salt Tolerance In Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)

Abstract

To explore the response of multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) proteins to drought, heat, and salt stress in wheat, a genome-wide identification and expression study was performed. 20 MATE genes located on 4 of the 12 chromosomes were identified and categorized into four (I-1V) subfamilies, based on phylogenetic analysis. Wheat MATE family expansion was primarily driven by whole-genome duplication (WGD) and tandem events. In the same subfamily, gene exon-intron structures and motif composition are more similar. TaMATE genes had cis-acting elements that were implicated in stress and defense response. Tae-miR5175e was identified as the highly expressed miRNA that targets TaMATEs by miRNA prediction. When compared to controls, the relative expression patterns of seven TaMATE genes were substantially elevated during drought stress. TaMATE2, 10, 13, and 14 expression levels considerably elevated after 15 days (d) of heat stress, whereas TaMATE2, 14, 18, and 20 expression levels were highly upregulated following 15 d of salt stress treatment, indicating the crucial role of TaMATEs under these abiotic stress conditions. Furthermore, drought, heat, and salt stress decreased wheat water content, but increased malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL), and proline content, whereas the expression of the 7 putative MATE genes was correlated with physio-biochemical indicators of these stress conditions. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the complexities of MATEs and present a theoretical base for future MATE gene discovery and application in wheat and other crop species.