The characterization of the AP2/ERF gene family in Pisum sativum, and the expression profiles of some family members reveal their role in plant development

Citation

Goyal, R. K.; Kommadath, A.; Ranches, J. and Hannig, A. (2023). The characterization of the AP2/ERF gene family in Pisum sativum, and the expression profiles of some family members reveal their role in plant development. Joint Canadian Society of Plant Biologists Western Regional Meeting and
UVic Forest Biology Symposium, 2023, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada, May 1-2, 2023

Plain language summary

Plant development is tied to its biological functions, with a significant impact on plant responses to various stress stimuli, agronomic traits, and productivity. A family of genes, which is known to play an important role in abiotic stress management and plant development, was characterized in field pea based on recently available genome sequencing information. Towards identifying the biological role of these genes, it was found that the genes participate not only in abiotic stress tolerance but also in plant development. Further study of tissue-specific genes would provide a basis for crop improvement through manipulation of genes and marker development.

Abstract

The pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a well-known pulse crop that is used as food and animal feed all over the world. Due to its capacity to organically fix nitrogen and the fact that it is a rich source of protein, it assumes more significance in sustainable agriculture and promotes the movement towards plant-based proteins in place of animal-based proteins. Peas' huge (4.45 Gbp) genome and lack of genetic element characterization contributed to their comparatively slow progress in several biological areas compared to other commercial crops. APETALA2 (AP2)/ Ethylene-Responsive Element Binding Protein, or Ethylene Response Factors (ERF) are plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) that bind to the cis-elements conserved in the target genes. The significance of the AP2/ERF superfamily in plant development, stress response, and hormone response has drawn attention. Using hmmsearch, a genome-wide search turned up 195 AP2-domain-containing gene sequences dispersed over 177 chromosomal locations. The gene characterization for conserved domains placed the majority of the genes into the ERF sub-class, followed by AP2 and RAV. Further classification of the genes revealed some similarities as well as distinctness from the Arabidopsis gene family. The differential expression of some family members suggests that they play a role in plant development.

Publication date

2023-04-28

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