title: Genome-wide characterization and expression profiling of the NAC genes under abiotic stresses in Cucumis sativus.
abstract: The NAC (standing for no apical meristem [NAM], Arabidopsis transcription activation factor [ATAF] and cup-shaped cotyledon [CUC]) proteins pertain to one of the plant-specific transcription factor families that play important roles in plant development, abiotic stress resistance and signalling transduction. In the present study, the genomic features of the NAC genes in cucumber were analysed in depth using in silico tools. To reveal a tissue-specific, abiotic stress and hormone-responsive expression profile of CsNAC genes, RT-qPCR was performed under different treatments. Phylogenetic analyses and genome-wide annotation indicated that 82 high-confidence CsNAC genes were clustered into 13 sub-groups with uneven distribution in the cucumber genome. Furthermore, the CsNAC genes exhibited different tissue-specific expression patterns in 10 tissues under normal growth conditions, while 13 (16%) and 28 (34%) genes displayed preferential expression in roots and flowers, respectively. Moreover, CsNAC genes were more sensitive to salinity than other stresses; however, their responses were relatively rapid and transient to nutrition deprivation. Several CsNAC genes, including CsNAC35, which is an orthologue of the known stress-responsive Arabidopsis RD26, were identified as highly responsive to abiotic stresses and hormones. Overall, our findings revealed the genomic landscape and expression profiling of the CsNAC genes in response to multiple stresses and hormones, offering clues for further function analyses and molecular breeding.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement (Ministry of Agriculture), Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100081, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiao Meng
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement (Ministry of Agriculture), Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100081, PR China.
authors.forename: Hong Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement (Ministry of Agriculture), Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100081, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, PR China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement (Ministry of Agriculture), Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100081, PR China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement (Ministry of Agriculture), Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100081, PR China.
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement (Ministry of Agriculture), Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100081, PR China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement (Ministry of Agriculture), Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100081, PR China.
authors.forename: Yun Yun
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement (Ministry of Agriculture), Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100081, PR China. Electronic address: liqiang05@caas.cn.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Genetic Improvement (Ministry of Agriculture), Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100081, PR China; Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, PR China. Electronic address: jiangweijie@caas.cn.
authors.forename: Wei Jie
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D032461:Chromosomes, Plant; D018553:Cucumis sativus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018745:Genome, Plant; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D010802:Phylogeny; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D010940:Plant Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: Abiotic stress; Cucumber; Expression profiling; Hormone; NAC