Identification and Characterization of Shaker K+ Channel Gene Family in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) and Their Role in Stress Response

Abstract

Potassium (K+) is one of the indispensable elements in plant growth and development. The Shaker K+ channel protein family is involved in plant K+ uptake and distribution. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica), as an important crop, has strong tolerance and adaptability to abiotic stresses. However, no systematic study focused on the Shaker K+ channel family in foxtail millet. Here, ten Shaker K+ channel genes in foxtail millet were identified and divided into five groups through phylogenetic analysis. Gene structures, chromosome locations, cis-acting regulatory elements in promoter, and post-translation modification sites of Shaker K+ channels were analyzed. In silico analysis of transcript level demonstrated that the expression of Shaker K+ channel genes was tissue or developmental stage specific. The transcription levels of Shaker K+ channel genes in foxtail millet under different abiotic stresses (cold, heat, NaCl, and PEG) and phytohormones (6-BA, BR, MJ, IAA, NAA, GA3, SA, and ABA) treatments at 0, 12, and 24 h were detected by qRT-PCR. The results showed that SiAKT1, SiKAT3, SiGORK, and SiSKOR were worth further research due to their significant responses after most treatments. The yeast complementation assay verified the inward K+ transport activities of detectable Shaker K+ channels. Finally, we found interactions between SiKAT2 and SiSNARE proteins. Compared to research in Arabidopsis, our results showed a difference in SYP121 related Shaker K+ channel regulation mechanism in foxtail millet. Our results indicate that Shaker K+ channels play important roles in foxtail millet and provide theoretical support for further exploring the K+ absorption mechanism of foxtail millet under abiotic stress.

The impact of utilizing oyster shell soil conditioner on the growth of tomato plants and the composition of inter-root soil bacterial communities in an acidic soil environment

“…Based on empirical findings, it has been observed that when a tomato plant experiences stress due to adverse conditions, there is a notable elevation in the concentration of Ca 2+ . This surge in Ca 2+ concentration prompts the activation of calcium channels inside the plant, thereby exerting regulatory control over crucial physiological processes and augmenting the plant’s resilience to adverse circumstances ( Zhang, 2019 ). This study examines the impact of utilizing oyster shell soil conditioner on the growth of tomato seedlings in acidic soil.…”

Research Progress on Plant Shaker K+ Channels

“…These members typically feature elements, such as the K + channel KAT/AKT, ion transport domain, cyclic nucleotide-binding domain, KHA domain, ankyrin repeats, and voltage-dependent K + channels. Shaker family members have been identified in species including millet [83], soybean [84], sweet potato [85], and cotton [86].…”