Abstract
As one of the Ca2+ sensors, calcium-dependent protein kinase (CPK) plays vital roles in immune and stress signaling, growth and development, and hormone responses, etc. Recently, the whole genome of apple (Malus × domestica), pear (Pyrus communis), peach (Prunus persica), plum (Prunus mume) and strawberry (Fragaria vesca) in Rosaceae family has been fully sequenced. However, little is known about the CPK gene family in these Rosaceae species. In this study, 123 CPK genes were identified from five Rosaceae species, including 37 apple CPKs, 37 pear CPKs, 17 peach CPKs, 16 strawberry CPKs, and 16 plum CPKs. Based on the phylogenetic tree topology and structural characteristics, we divided the CPK gene family into 4 distinct subfamilies: Group I, II, III, and IV. Whole-genome duplication (WGD) or segmental duplication played vital roles in the expansion of the CPK in these Rosaceae species. Most of segmental duplication pairs in peach and plum may have arisen from the γ triplication (~140 million years ago [MYA]), while in apple genome, many duplicated genes may have been derived from a recent WGD (30~45 MYA). Purifying selection also played a critical role in the function evolution of CPK family genes. Expression of apple CPK genes in response to apple pathotype of Alternaria alternata was verified by analysis of quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qPCR). Expression data demonstrated that CPK genes in apple might have evolved independently in different biological contexts. The analysis of evolution history and expression profile laid a foundation for further examining the function and complexity of the CPK gene family in Rosaceae.
Highlights
Plant growth and crop production are adversely affected by environmental stresses, such as drought, low temperature, high salinity, pathogen infection, microbial elicitors and wounding
To examine the expression pattern of MdCPK genes responding to this pathogen, we examined their expression information using quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis with RNA from apple leaves sampled at 18 h, 36 h, and 72 h after A. alternata inoculation
A total of 123 calcium-dependent protein kinase (CPK) genes were identified in the five Rosaceae genomes
Summary
Plant growth and crop production are adversely affected by environmental stresses, such as drought, low temperature, high salinity, pathogen infection, microbial elicitors and wounding To adapt to these environmental conditions, plants have developed a mechanism that includes the perception of stress signals, subsequent signal transduction, and the activation of various physiological and metabolic responses [1]. CDPK Gene Family in Rosaceae and Its Response to A.alternata Infection concentration responds to diverse endogenous and external signals, including phytohormone status, abiotic stress and biotic stress, as well as mechanical wounding [3,4,5,6] These calcium signatures can be recognized by different Ca2+ sensor molecules which subsequently transduce the signal to downstream signaling cascades such as phosphorylation of target proteins
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
