Identification of Dioscorea opposite Thunb. CDPK gene family reveals that DoCDPK20 is related to heat resistance

• Published in: PeerJ (San Francisco, CA) Vol. 11; p. e16110
• Main Authors: Gao, Yuanli, Zhang, Yanfang, Ji, Xiang, Wang, Jinxin, Suo, Ningning, Liu, Jiecai, Huo, Xiuwen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, USA PeerJ Inc 20.09.2023
• Subjects: Agricultural Science; CDPK gene family; Dioscorea opposite Thunb; DoCDPK20; Expression pattern; Genetics; Heat temperature; Molecular Biology; Plant Science; Transgenic tobacco
• ISSN: 2167-8359; 2167-8359
• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16110

Temperature affects the growth and yield of yam ( Dioscorea opposite Thunb.), and calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) play an important role in the plant stress response. However, there has been a lack of system analyses of yam’s CDPK gene family. In this study, 29 CDPK transcriptome sequences with complete open reading frames (ORFs) were identified from yam RNA sequencing data. The sequences were classified into four groups (I–VI) using phylogenetic analysis. Two DoCDPK genes were randomly selected from each group and the gene patterns of yam leaves were determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) under high and low temperature stress in order to show their unique functions in mediating specific responses. Among them, DoCDPK20 was significantly induced in high temperatures. The pPZP221- DoCDPK20 was transformed into tobacco leaves using an agrobacterium-mediated method. Under high temperature stress, DoCDPK20 overexpression reduced photosynthesis and improved heat tolerance in transgenic tobacco. Our research offers meaningful perspectives into CDPK genes and new avenues for the genetic engineering and molecular breeding of yam.