Comprehensive identification and expression analyses of the SnRK gene family in Casuarina equisetifolia in response to salt stress

Abstract

Background Sucrose nonfermenting-1 (SNF1)-related protein kinases (SnRKs) play crucial roles in plant signaling pathways and stress adaptive responses by activating protein phosphorylation pathways. However, there have been no comprehensive studies of the SnRK gene family in the widely planted salt-tolerant tree species Casuarina equisetifolia. Here, we comprehensively analyze this gene family in C. equisetifolia using genome-wide identification, characterization, and profiling of expression changes in response to salt stress. Results A total of 26 CeqSnRK genes were identified, which were divided into three subfamilies (SnRK1, SnRK2, and SnRK3). The intron–exon structures and protein‑motif compositions were similar within each subgroup but differed among groups. Ka/Ks ratio analysis indicated that the CeqSnRK family has undergone purifying selection, and cis-regulatory element analysis suggested that these genes may be involved in plant development and responses to various environmental stresses. A heat map was generated using quantitative real‑time PCR (RT-qPCR) data from 26 CeqSnRK genes, suggesting that they were expressed in different tissues. We also examined the expression of all CeqSnRK genes under exposure to different salt concentrations using RT-qPCR, finding that most CeqSnRK genes were regulated by different salt treatments. Moreover, co-expression network analysis revealed synergistic effects among CeqSnRK genes. Conclusions Several CeqSnRK genes (CeqSnRK3.7, CeqSnRK3.16, CeqSnRK3.17) were up-regulated following salt treatment. Among them, CeqSnRK3.16 expression was significantly up-regulated under various salt treatments, identifying this as a candidate gene salt stress tolerance gene. In addition, CeqSnRK3.16 showed significant expression change correlations with multiple genes under salt stress, indicating that it might exhibit synergistic effects with other genes in response to salt stress. This comprehensive analysis will provide a theoretical reference for CeqSnRK gene functional verification and the role of these genes in salt tolerance.

Prediction of potential climate change impacts on the geographic distribution shift of Casuarina junghuhniana and C. equisetifolia in Southeast Asia

“…This species grows well in areas characterized by prolonged dry seasons and lower air humidity (Djighaly et al 2018). These differences in habitat preferences reflect the adaptation of both species to specific environmental conditions that allow them to grow and develop optimally (Ai et al 2022). In Java, C. junghuhniana grows naturally at 1200-3100 m asl.…”

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Sucrose Nonfermenting 1-Related Protein Kinase (SnRK) Genes in Salvia miltiorrhiza in Response to Hormone

“…An increasing number of studies have revealed that the SnRK family is a crucial component in plant signaling transduction and response to abiotic stress [50,51]. Moreover, the SnRK family members of many plants have been clarified, including Liriodendron chinense [52], Brassica napus [53], Casuarina equisetifolia [54], Brachypodium distachyon [55], cotton [56], Triticum aestivum [57] and Phaseolus vulgaris [58]. However, only a few SnRK genes of S. miltiorrhiza were cloned and studied in previous studies [59].…”

The role of endophytes and rhizobacteria to combat drought stress in wheat

“…The most effective approach for identifying allelic variants is through the High-Resolution Melting (HRM) technique. Discrepancies observed in peptide sequences have been associated with alterations in protein conformation and the identification of cis-elements related to ABA signaling (Ai et al, 2022). The mapping of SNPs has identified two crucial TFs, DREB1 and WRKY1, which provide drought and salt tolerance (Urbanavičiūtė et al, 2021).…”