EIN3/EIL (Ethylene Insensitive3 / Ethylene Insensitive3 Like) Protein Family in Phaseolus vulgaris: Identification, Evolution and Expression Analysis within the Genome

Abstract

Ethylene insensitive-3 (EIN3) / Ethylene insensitive-3-like (EIL) protein family is a small family of transcription factors specific to plants that play role in plant growth and development under various environmental conditions. In this study, various bioinformatics approaches were used to make an in-depth identification of the EIN3/EIL family at both the gene and protein levels. So, 11 Pvul-EIL genes were identified and their approximate locations were determined. Various biochemical and physicochemical properties of EIL proteins in Phaseolus vulgaris have been described. It was determined that Pvul-EIL proteins had a length of 447-651 amino acids and a molecular weight of 51.08-70.68 kDa. All duplications occurring in the Pvul-EIL genome were segmental type. It was observed that conserved motif, gene structure and phylogeny analyses all yielded similar results. For instance, it has been understood that genes with same motif type and number have similar gene structures and were located under the same branch in the phylogenetic tree. Pvul-EIL protein homology modeling showed that DNA binding properties and protein structure were similar to Arabidopsis EIN3. According to cis-element analysis, Pvul-EIL genes are engaged in a wide range of functions, including tissue-specific, stress, and hormone-sensitive expression. Additionally, RNAseq data was used to perform a comparative expression analysis of EIL genes. Various Pvul-EIL gene expression levels were detected under salt and drought stress. This is the first study to check the gene expression levels in P. vulgaris using in-silico detection and characterization of EIL genes. Therefore, obtained results can form the basis for future studies.