Genome-wide Identification, Characterization and Expression Profiling of bZIP Gene Family in Wheat using Bioinformatics Approach

Abstract

Background: The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) represents one of the largest as well as most diverse transcription factor (TFs) families, and well-studied for critical role in stress response, growth and sustainable devel opment of the plant. Methods: In the current study a total of 266 bZIP genes were identified in wheat genome using BLAST algorithm against the fully annotated reference genome (International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium - IWGSC) available in Ensembl Plants 42.0 using AtbZIP11 protein from A. thaliana as a query. Coding sequence (CDS) analysis, physicochemical property analysis, homology model ling, structure validation, subcellular localization, phylogenetic analysis and expression profiling has been done to determine bZIP TFs in Triticum aestivum. Overall quality factor of protein has been studied using ERRAT, while expression profiling has been done using Wheat Expression Browser powered by expVIP. Result: Sequence analysis revealed that the coding sequence (CDS) length of deduced TabZIP TFs genes ranged from 422 to 3669 bp and corresponding protein length ranged from 131 to 649aa. All the 266 genes were studied for the stability of their proteins. 26 out of them were considered further to study their overall quality factor using ERRAT and thereby 13 genes were found to have an ERRAT score of more than 95 for their deduced protein, further studied for their physicochemical properties revealed a molecular weight ranging from 18035.44 to 37304.66 and isoelectric point from 6.08 to 9.42. The subcellular location of all the encoding proteins is found in nucleus. RNA-Seq based expression profiling obtained through Wheat Expression Browser powered by expVIP reveals that many of the identified TabZIP were induced by heat and drought stress. Conclusively the discovered members of bZIP gene family may provide resource for genetic improvement and promote stress tolerance efficiency in wheat.