PJB-2020-1534
Genome-wide identification and analysis of maize PAL gene family and its expression profile in response to high-temperature stress
De-Gong Wu, Qiu-Wen Zhan, Hai-Bing Yu, Bao-Hong Huang, Xin-Xin Cheng, Wen-Yang Li, Shou-Cheng Huang, Chang-Jin Wang and Jun-Li Du
Abstract
Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) plays a crucial role in the process of plant growth and stress response by catalyzing L-phenylalanine deamination. Maize (Zea mays L.) B73 genome, mRNA and amino acid databases were used here to assess the functional characteristics and expression patterns of the PAL gene family. Through genome-wide bioinformatics analysis, 13 members of the PAL family were identified, and predictive analysis were carried out considering the chromosomal locations, differentiation profiles, physicochemical properties and secondary structures of their encoded proteins, as well as their structures, conserved motifs, phylogenesis and expression patterns. The results revealed the 13 maize PAL (ZmPAL) genes that were unevenly distributed on 10 chromosomes and that their differentiation was achieved through tandem and fragment duplication, occurring approximately 6.16-36.09 million years ago. Most ZmPAL proteins are acidic proteins, with secondary structures mainly composed of α-helices. Structure and motif analyses revealed high conservation in the intron number in ZmPAL genes and in the overall amino acid sequences. Phylogenetic trees exhibited a clear division into six subfamilies, with the largest number of orthologues in maize, sorghum and rice, and a close genetic relationship among them. In addition, the expression levels of the ZmPAL genes were different in various tissues under high-temperature, indicating responsiveness to this stress factor. Furthermore, a synchronous increase in the total phenolics and total flavonoids contents was observed in parallel to the increase in PAL activity under high temperature stress. This outcome indicated that the PAL genes can respond to high-temperature stress by promoting the synthesis of total phenolics and flavonoids. These results will facilitate future research on the biological functions of PAL genes and its exploitation in the production of high-temperature resistant cultivars
To Cite this article:
Wu, D.G., Q.W. Zhan, H.B. Yu, B.H. Huang, X.X. Cheng, W.Y. Li, S.C. Huang, C.J. Wang and J.L. Du. 2020. Genome-wide identification and analysis of maize PAL gene family and its expression profile in response to high-temperature stress. Pak. J. Bot., 52(5): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2020-5(28)
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