title: Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of the SnRK2 gene family in Malus prunifolia.
abstract: Sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) constitutes a small plant-specific serine/threonine kinase family with essential roles in the abscisic acid (ABA) signal pathway and in responses to osmotic stress. Although a genome-wide analysis of this family has been conducted in some species, little is known about SnRK2 genes in apple (Malus domestica). We identified 14 putative sequences encoding 12 deduced SnRK2 proteins within the apple genome. Gene chromosomal location and synteny analysis of the apple SnRK2 genes indicated that tandem and segmental duplications have likely contributed to the expansion and evolution of these genes. All 12 full-length coding sequences were confirmed by cloning from Malus prunifolia. The gene structure and motif compositions of the apple SnRK2 genes were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MpSnRK2s could be classified into four groups. Profiling of these genes presented differential patterns of expression in various tissues. Under stress conditions, transcript levels for some family members were up-regulated in the leaves in response to drought, salinity, or ABA treatments. This suggested their possible roles in plant response to abiotic stress. Our findings provide essential information about SnRK2 genes in apple and will contribute to further functional dissection of this gene family.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Yangjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. Electronic address: fwm64@sina.com.
authors.forename: Fengwang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000040:Abscisic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study / Q000379:methods; D027845:Malus / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D059467:Transcriptome / Q000235:genetics*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D000040:Abscisic Acid; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
keywords: Abiotic stress; Apple; Gene family; SnRK2