Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Germin and Germin-Like Proteins (GLPs) and Their Response Under Powdery Mildew Stress in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Germin and germin-like proteins (GLPs) play multifaceted roles in plants and participate in signaling processes associated with host–pathogen interactions and response to abiotic stress signaling. Despite the important roles in plant survival and response to the environment, few reports exist about the activity and function of the GLP family in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification of the GLP family in wheat and identified 258 GLP genes. Through phylogenetic analysis, the GLPs of Arabidopsis, rice, and wheat were divided into six groups, and each group had a similar genetic structure and a conserved motif. Chromosome 4B has the largest cluster region of TaGLPs among all chromosomes. The cis-regulatory elements in the promoter of TaGLPs, which are critical for the function of wheat GLPs and related to stress and development, are detected. The expression profiles of wheat GLPs under Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) invasion were investigated using the RNA sequencing analysis and validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method. Most of the Bgt resistance-related TaGLP genes are located on the fourth homologous group chromosomes, indicating that pathogens resistance-related TaGLP genes repeat in large tandem in specific chromosomal regions during evolution. These results will help us understand the function of the GLP family in wheat and explore the mechanism of wheat GLPs genes in biotic resistance.