Genome-Wide Identification, Expansion Mechanism and Expression Profiling Analysis of GLABROUS1 Enhancer-Binding Protein (GeBP) Gene Family in Gramineae Crops

Abstract

The GLABROUS1 enhancer-binding protein (GeBP) gene family encodes a typical transcription factor containing a noncanonical Leucine (Leu-)-zipper motif that plays an essential role in regulating plant growth and development, as well as responding to various stresses. However, limited information on the GeBP gene family is available in the case of the Gramineae crops. Here, 125 GeBP genes from nine Gramineae crops species were phylogenetically classified into four clades using bioinformatics analysis. Evolutionary analyses showed that whole genome duplication (WGD) and segmental duplication play important roles in the expansion of the GeBP gene family. The various gene structures and protein motifs revealed that the GeBP genes play diverse functions in plants. In addition, the expression profile analysis of the GeBP genes showed that 13 genes expressed in all tested organs and stages of development in rice, with especially high levels of expression in the leaf, palea, and lemma. Furthermore, the hormone- and metal-induced expression patterns showed that the expression levels of most genes were affected by various biotic stresses, implying that the GeBP genes had an important function in response to various biotic stresses. Furthermore, we confirmed that OsGeBP11 and OsGeBP12 were localized to the nucleus through transient expression in the rice protoplast, indicating that GeBPs function as transcription factors to regulate the expression of downstream genes. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the origin and evolutionary history of the GeBP genes family in Gramineae, and will be helpful in a further functional characterization of the GeBP genes.

Genome-Wide Characterization and Expression Analysis of GeBP Family Genes in Soybean

“…The conserved motif analysis of the Arabidopsis GeBP sequence revealed that it possesses a basic amino acid region and a leucine zipper region, suggesting that GeBP may belong to the bZIP transcription factor family. However, it was found that the interval between these two conserved domains exceeds 9 residues, which is not a standard definition of a bZIP protein [ 7 , 8 ]. N-x7-R/K-x9-L-x6-L-x6-L is the basic structure of a typical bZIP conserved domain, which includes alkaline domains and Leu zipper domain separated by 9 residues.…”

“…Plants 2022, 11, 1848 2 of 13 However, it was found that the interval between these two conserved domains exceeds 9 residues, which is not a standard definition of a bZIP protein [7,8]. N-x7-R/K-x9-L-x6-L-x6-L is the basic structure of a typical bZIP conserved domain, which includes alkaline domains and Leu zipper domain separated by 9 residues.…”

Genome-Wide Investigation and Functional Analysis Reveal That CsGeBP4 Is Required for Tea Plant Trichome Formation

“…These findings suggest that AtGeBP might participate in plant trichome formation. In addition, it was reported that GeBP family genes were involved in plant responses to phytohormones such as gibberellin [ 18 , 42 , 44 , 45 ], cytokinin [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ], and auxin [ 45 ]. Furthermore, their roles in plant responses to environmental stresses such as heavy metals and pathogens were also reported [ 38 , 45 , 49 ].…”

“…In addition, it was reported that GeBP family genes were involved in plant responses to phytohormones such as gibberellin [ 18 , 42 , 44 , 45 ], cytokinin [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ], and auxin [ 45 ]. Furthermore, their roles in plant responses to environmental stresses such as heavy metals and pathogens were also reported [ 38 , 45 , 49 ]. For example, GeBP-like 4 ( GPL4 ) was induced in response to cadmium, copper, and zinc stresses in Arabidopsis [ 49 ].…”

“…Indica , Oryza sativa ssp. japonica , Oryza rufipogon , Sorghum bicolor , Setaria italica , Triticum aestivum , Zea mays ) [ 45 ]. However, the specific biological functions of most GeBPs have not been characterized.…”