In Silico Analysis and Expression Profile of Potato MAPKKK Gene Family in Response to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Production Engineering and Plant Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Production Engineering and Plant Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Vegetable and Irrigated Pulse Crops Research, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinases (MAPKKKs) are important components of MAPK cascades, which are associated with responses to various abiotic and biotic stresses such as plant pathogens. Although MAPKKKs have been analyzed in many plants, the role, function, evolution relationship, structure and expression profile of MAPKKKs have not been studied in potato. In this study, 114 MAPKKK genes (StMAPKKKs) were identified and classified in Raf, ZIK and MEKK families accoding to phylogentic analysis. The assignment of each studied gene to the families was confirmed by the analysis of their conserved motifs. Moreover, the analysis of expression profile of the StMAPKKKs transcriptome which are accessible in database of potato revealed their differentially regulations under various stresses. Furthermore, a number of eight StMAPKKK genes which have been repoted to be upregulated in RNA-seq studies of potato under the heat, cold, salinity and pathogen (Phytophthora infestans) were chosen for real-time qPCR quantitations. All selected genes showed an up-regulation in either heat and salt treatments or inoculation with Phytophthora infestans. Results indicated that StMAPKKKs genes play roles in response to different stimuli and can be utilized in stress-plant interaction studies in potato.

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