Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of PRR Gene Family and their Diurnal Rhythmic Expression Profile in Maize

Abstract

As essential components of the circadian clock, the pseudo-response regulator (PRR) gene family plays critical roles in plant photoperiod pathway. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification and a systematic analysis of the PRR gene family in maize. Nine ZmPRRs were identified, and the gene structure, conserved motif, evolution relationship, and expression pattern of ZmPRRs were analyzed comprehensively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the nine ZmPRR genes were divided into three groups, except for ZmPRR73, two of which were highly homologous to each of the AtPRR or OsPRR quintet members. Promoter cis-element analysis of ZmPRRs demonstrated that they might be involved in multiple signaling transduction pathways, such as light response, biological or abiotic stress response, and hormone response. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the levels of ZmPRRs transcripts varied considerably and exhibited a diurnal rhythmic oscillation expression pattern in the given 24-h period under both SD and LD conditions, which indicated that the level of transcription of ZmPRRs expression is subjected to a circadian rhythm and modulated by light and the circadian clock. The present study will provide an insight into further exploring the biological function and regulatory mechanism of ZmPRR genes in circadian rhythm and response to photoperiod in maize.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the response regulator gene family in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) reveals their multifarious roles in stress response

“…To date, RRs have been identified on a genome-wide scale in various plant species, such as Arabidopsis thaliana ( D’Agostino et al., 2000 ), Oryza sativa ( Tsai et al., 2012 ), Zea mays ( Wang et al., 2022 ), Gossypium hirsutum ( Zhao et al., 2022 ), and Glycine max ( Le et al., 2011 ). Although the number of identified RRs varies among plants, their functions are conserved in these different species.…”

Transcriptomic and Physiological Analyses Reveal Potential Genes Involved in Photoperiod-Regulated β-Carotene Accumulation Mechanisms in the Endocarp of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Fruit

“…As an essential component of the circadian clock, the PRR gene family plays a critical role in the plant photoperiod pathway. Promoter cis-element analysis of maize PRR genes demonstrated that they might be involved in multiple signaling transduction pathways, such as light, abiotic stress, and hormone regulations in plants [ 12 ]. In another genome-wide study, an analysis of a light-related gene, the ring-H2 finger E3 ligase in cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum ), revealed its role in fiber development and phytohormone and abiotic stress responses [ 13 ].…”