Comprehensive genome‐wide analysis of the DREB gene family in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): evidence for the role of PeDREB28 in plant abiotic stress response

• Published in: The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology Vol. 116; no. 5; pp. 1248 - 1270
• Main Authors: Hu, Xin, Liang, Jianxiang, Wang, Wenjia, Cai, Changyang, Ye, Shanwen, Wang, Nannan, Han, Fangying, Wu, Yuxin, Zhu, Qiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Abiotic stress; abiotic stresses response; Abscisic acid; Arabidopsis; Bamboo; Dehydration; DREB gene family; Drought; evolutionary analysis; Genes; Genetic engineering; Genomes; Moso bamboo; PeDREB28; Phyllostachys edulis; Phylogeny; Proteins; Regulatory sequences; Transcription activation; Transcriptomics; Moso bamboo; abiotic stresses response; DREB gene family; evolutionary analysis; PeDREB28
• ISSN: 0960-7412; 1365-313X
• DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16420

SUMMARY Dehydration response element binding (DREB) proteins are vital for plant abiotic stress responses, but the understanding of DREBs in bamboo, an important sustainable non‐timber forest product, is limited. Here we conducted a comprehensive genome‐wide analysis of the DREB gene family in Moso bamboo, representing the most important running bamboo species in Asia. In total, 44 PeDREBs were identified, and information on their gene structures, protein motifs, phylogenetic relationships, and stress‐related cis‐regulatory elements (CREs) was provided. Based on the bioinformatical analysis, we further analyzed PeDREBs from the A5 group and found that four of five PeDREB transcripts were induced by salt, drought, and cold stresses, and their proteins could bind to stress‐related CREs. Among these, PeDREB28 was selected as a promising candidate for further functional characterization. PeDREB28 is localized in nucleus, has transcriptional activation activity, and could bind to the DRE‐ and coupling element 1‐ (CE1) CREs. Overexpression of PeDREB28 in Arabidopsis and bamboo improved plant abiotic stress tolerance. Transcriptomic analysis showed that broad changes due to the overexpression of PeDREB28. Furthermore, 628 genes that may act as the direct PeDREB28 downstream genes were identified by combining DAP‐seq and RNA‐seq analysis. Moreover, we confirmed that PeDREB28 could bind to the promoter of pyrabactin‐resistance‐like gene (DlaPYL3), which is a homolog of abscisic acid receptor in Arabidopsis, and activates its expression. In summary, our study provides important insights into the DREB gene family in Moso bamboo, and contributes to their functional verification and genetic engineering applications in the future. Significance Statement DREBs are vital for multiple plant abiotic stress response, while they are unknown in bamboo. Here we conducted systematic genome‐wide analysis of DREB genes in Moso bamboo and selected PeDREB28 for function characterization. By DAP‐seq and RNA‐seq analysis, we showed that PeDREB28 regulates multiple stress‐related genes, including DlaPYL3, a homolog of the ABA receptor in Arabidopsis. Our study provides insights into the DREB family genes in Moso bamboo, as well as genetic resources for Moso bamboo improvement.