Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of Potassium Transport-Related Genes in Vigna radiata under Abiotic Stresses

Abstract

Potassium (K+) is one of the most important cations that plays a significant role in plants and constitutes up to 10% of plants’ dry weight. Plants exhibit complex systems of transporters and channels for the distribution of K+ from soil to numerous parts of plants. In this study, we have identified 39 genes encoding putative K+ transport-related genes in Vigna radiata. Chromosomal mapping of these genes indicated an uneven distribution across eight out of 11 chromosomes. Comparative phylogenetic analysis of different plant species, i.e., V. radiata, Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, Oryza sativa, and Arabidopsis thaliana, showed their strong conservation in different plant species. Evolutionary analysis of these genes suggests that gene duplication is a major route of expansion for this family in V. radiata. Comprehensive promoter analysis identified several abiotic stresses related to cis-elements in the promoter regions of these genes, suggesting their role in abiotic stress tolerance. Our additional analyses indicated that abiotic stresses adversely affected the chlorophyll concentration, carotenoids, catalase, total soluble protein concentration, and the activities of superoxide and peroxidase in V. radiata. It also disturbs the ionic balance by decreasing the uptake of K+ content and increasing the uptake of Na+. Expression analysis from high-throughput sequencing data and quantitative real-time PCR experiments revealed that several K+ transport genes were expressed in different tissues (seed, flower, and pod) and in abiotic stress-responsive manners. A highly significant variation of expression was observed for VrHKT (1.1 and 1.2), VrKAT (1 and 2) VrAKT1.1, VrAKT2, VrSKOR, VrKEA5, VrTPK3, and VrKUP/HAK/KT (4, 5, and 8.1) in response to drought, heat or salinity stress. It reflected their potential roles in plant growth, development, or stress adaptations. The present study gives an in-depth understanding of K+ transport system genes in V. radiata and will serve as a basis for a functional analysis of these genes.

Combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis revealed pathways involved in improved salt tolerance of Gossypium hirsutum L. seedlings in response to exogenous melatonin application

“…4 ) [ 86 ]. Overall, our results conclude that MT application enhances Na + /K + homeostasis in cotton seedlings exposed to salt stress by changing the expressions of Na + and K + transporters [ 25 , 87 ].…”

Computational analysis and expression profiling of potassium transport-related gene families in mango (Mangifera indica) indicate their role in stress response and fruit development

“…The current study identified 37 potential genes of the K + transport system in M. indica genome. The number of PTGs is more or less similar in major plant groups represented by V. vinifera , Glycine max , Triticum aestivum , Vigna radiata , C. cajan , and A. thaliana ( Cuéllar et al., 2010 ; Isayenkov et al., 2011 ; Chen et al., 2017 ; Azeem et al., 2018 ; Azeem et al., 2021a ; Azeem et al., 2021b ; Ge et al., 2020 ; Siddique et al., 2021 ; Cai et al., 2021 ). It not only indicates the evolutionary conservation of PTGs in these plants but also predicts the existence of similar genetic mechanisms for K + in other fruit trees.…”

Transcriptome analysis reveals the key pathways and candidate genes involved in salt stress responses in Cymbidium ensifolium leaves

“…Salt stress is perceived as an excess of Na + that triggers an increase in cytosolic Ca 2+ levels and downstream signaling cascades. In this regard, a large number of transcripts annotated as cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) were upregulated in T48 (17) and T96 (4) compared to CK. Most of the CNGCs that were co-expressed in both salt treatments were downregulated in T96 compared to T48.…”

“…In addition to altering Ca 2+ levels, the increased Na + concentration also disrupts ion homeostasis (Na + /H + and/or Na + /K + exchange). To maintain the balance of ion concentrations, plants have evolved several molecular mechanisms such as activation/inactivation of Na + /H + antiporters [ 16 ], K + channels [ 17 ], calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs), CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) [ 18 ], and calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) [ 19 ]. The salt overly sensitive (SOS) regulatory pathway in plants also modulates the expressions/activities of Na + /H + antiporters to maintain ionic balance [ 14 , 20 ].…”