Systematic analysis of the pectin methylesterase gene family in Nicotiana tabacum and reveal their multiple roles in plant development and abiotic stresses

• Published in: Frontiers in plant science Vol. 13; p. 998841
• Main Authors: Sun, Jinhao, Tian, Zhen, Li, Xiaoxu, Li, Shaopeng, Li, Zhiyuan, Wang, Jinling, Hu, Zongyu, Chen, Haiqing, Guo, Cun, Xie, Minmin, Xu, Ruyan
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 28.09.2022
• Subjects: abiotic stresses; Biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology; Biochimie, biophysique & biologie moléculaire; genome-wide analysis; Life sciences; Plant Science; PME genes; root development; Sciences du vivant; tobacco; abiotic stresses; root development; tobacco; genome-wide analysis; PME genes
• ISSN: 1664-462X; 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.998841

The pectin methylesterases (PMEs) play multiple roles in regulating plant development and responses to various stresses. In our study, a total of 121 genes were identified in the tobacco genome, which were clustered into two groups based on phylogenetic analysis together with members. The investigations of gene structure and conserved motif indicated that exon/intron and motif organizations were relatively conserved in each group. Additionally, several stress-related elements were identified in the promoter region of these genes. The survey of duplication events revealed that segmental duplications were critical to the expansion of the gene family in tobacco. The expression profiles analysis revealed that these genes were expressed in various tissues and could be induced by diverse abiotic stresses. Notably, and , were identified as homologues with and , respectively. Furthermore, was highly expressed in roots and the over-expression of the gene could promote the development of roots. While could be induced by salt and ABA treatments, and the over-expression of the gene could significantly enhance the salt-stress tolerance in tobacco. Overall, these findings may shed light on the biological and functional characterization of genes in tobacco.