Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is crucial in plant metabolism and responses to various abiotic stresses. In the glycolysis pathway, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) is oxidized to 1,3-bisphosphate glycerate (1,3-BPG) through the catalytic action of GAPDH. However, the GAPDH gene family in Quercus rubra has been minimally researched. In this study, we identified 13 GAPDH-encoding genes in Q. rubra through a bioinformatics analysis of genomic data. Evolutionary studies suggest that these QrGAPDH genes are closely related to those in Glycine max and Triticum aestivum. We conducted a comprehensive whole-genome study, which included predictions of subcellular localization, gene structure analysis, protein motif identification, chromosomal placement, and analysis of cis-acting regions. We also examined the expression of GAPDH proteins and genes in various tissues of Q. rubra and under drought stress. The results indicated diverse expression patterns across different tissues and differential expression under drought conditions. Notably, the expression of Qurub.02G290300.1, Qurub.10G209800.1, and Qrub.M241600.1 significantly increased in the leaf, stem, and root tissues under drought stress. This study provides a systematic analysis of QrGAPDH genes, suggesting their pivotal roles in the drought stress response of trees.

BACKGROUND: The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is crucial cell signal transduction mechanism that plays an important role in plant growth and development, metabolism, and stress responses. The MAPK cascade includes three protein kinases, MAPK, MAPKK, and MAPKKK. The three protein kinases mediate signaling to downstream response molecules by sequential phosphorylation. The MAPK gene family has been identified and analyzed in many plants, however it has not been investigated in alfalfa.
RESULTS: In this study, Medicago sativa MAPK genes (referred to as MsMAPKs) were identified in the tetraploid alfalfa genome. Eighty MsMAPKs were divided into four groups, with eight in group A, 21 in group B, 21 in group C and 30 in group D. Analysis of the basic structures of the MsMAPKs revealed presence of a conserved TXY motif. Groups A, B and C contained a TEY motif, while group D contained a TDY motif. RNA-seq analysis revealed tissue-specificity of two MsMAPKs and tissue-wide expression of 35 MsMAPKs. Further analysis identified MsMAPK members responsive to drought, salt, and cold stress conditions. Two MsMAPKs (MsMAPK70 and MsMAPK75) responds to salt and cold stresses; two MsMAPKs (MsMAPK60 and MsMAPK73) responds to cold and drought stresses; four MsMAPKs (MsMAPK1, MsMAPK33, MsMAPK64 and MsMAPK71) responds to salt and drought stresses; and two MsMAPKs (MsMAPK5 and MsMAPK7) responded to all three stresses.
CONCLUSIONS: This study comprehensively identified and analysed the alfalfa MAPK gene family. Candidate genes related to abiotic stresses were screened by analysing the RNA-seq data. The results provide key information for further analysis of alfalfa MAPK gene functions and improvement of stress tolerance.

DNA demethylation is a very important biochemical pathway regulating a group of biological processes, such as embryo development, fruit ripening, and response to stress. Despite the essential role of DNA demethylases, their evolutionary relationship and detailed biological functions in different land plants remain unclear. In this study, 48 DNA demethylases in 12 land plants were identified and classified. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to demonstrate the evolutionary relationships among these DNA demethylases, indicating how they are related across different species. Conserved domain, protein motif, and gene structure analysis showed that these 48 DNA demethylases fell into the presently identified four classes of DNA demethylases. Amino acid alignment revealed conserved catalytic sites and a previously less-studied protein region (referred to as domain A) within the DNA demethylases. An analysis showed a conserved pattern of gene duplication for DNA demethylases throughout their evolutionary history, suggesting that these genes had been maintained due to their importance. The examination of promoter cis-elements displayed potential signaling and regulating pathways of DNA demethylases. Furthermore, the expression profile was analyzed to investigate the physiological role of rice DNA demethylase in different developmental stages, in tissues, and in response to stress and various phytohormone signals. The findings offer a deeper insight into the functional regions of DNA demethylases and their evolutionary relationships, which can guide future research directions. Understanding the role of DNA demethylases can lead to improved plant stress resistance and contribute to the development of better crop and fruit varieties.

BACKGROUND: Dendrobium Sw. represents one of the most expansive genera within the Orchidaceae family, renowned for its species\' high medicinal and ornamental value. In higher plants, the ankyrin (ANK) repeat protein family is characterized by a unique ANK repeat domain, integral to a plethora of biological functions and biochemical activities. The ANK gene family plays a pivotal role in various plant physiological processes, including stress responses, hormone signaling, and growth. Hence, investigating the ANK gene family and identifying disease-resistance genes in Dendrobium is of paramount importance.
RESULTS: This research identified 78 ANK genes in Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, 77 in Dendrobium nobile Lindl., and 58 in Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl. Subsequently, we conducted comprehensive bioinformatics analyses on these ANK gene families, encompassing gene classification, chromosomal localization, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure and motif characterization, cis-acting regulatory element identification, collinearity assessment, protein-protein interaction network construction, and gene expression profiling. Concurrently, three DoANK genes (DoANK14, DoANK19, and DoANK47) in D. officinale were discerned to indirectly activate the NPR1 transcription factor in the ETI system via SA, thereby modulating the expression of the antibacterial PR gene. Hormonal treatments with GA3 and ABA revealed that 17 and 8 genes were significantly up-regulated, while 4 and 8 genes were significantly down-regulated, respectively. DoANK32 was found to localize to the ArfGAP gene in the endocytosis pathway, impacting vesicle transport and the polar movement of auxin.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide a robust framework for the taxonomic classification, evolutionary analysis, and functional prediction of Dendrobium ANK genes. The three highlighted ANK genes (DoANK14, DoANK19, and DoANK47) from D. officinale may prove valuable in disease resistance and stress response research. DoANK32 is implicated in the morphogenesis and development of D. officinale through its role in vesicular transport and auxin polarity, with subcellular localization studies confirming its presence in the nucleus and cell membrane. ANK genes displaying significant expression changes in response to hormonal treatments could play a crucial role in the hormonal response of D. officinale, potentially inhibiting its growth and development through the modulation of plant hormones such as GA3 and ABA.

The seeds of Camellia oleifera produce high amount of oil, which can be broadly used in the fields of food, industry, and medicine. However, the molecular regulation mechanisms of seed development and oil accumulation in C. oleifera are unclear. In this study, evolutionary and expression analyses of the MADS-box gene family were performed across the C. oleifera genome for the first time. A total of 86 MADS-box genes (ColMADS) were identified, including 60 M-type and 26 MIKC members. More gene duplication events occurred in M-type subfamily (6) than that in MIKC subfamily (2), and SEP-like genes were lost from the MIKCC clade. Furthermore, 8, 15, and 17 differentially expressed ColMADS genes (DEGs) were detected between three developmental stages of seed (S1/S2, S2/S3, and S1/S3), respectively. Among these DEGs, the STK-like ColMADS12 and TT16-like ColMADS17 were highly expressed during the seed formation (S1 and S2), agreeing with their predicted functions to positively regulate the seed organogenesis and oil accumulation. While ColMADS57 and ColMADS07 showed increasing expression level with the seed maturation (S2 and S3), conforming to their potential roles in promoting the seed ripening. In all, these results revealed a critical role of MADS-box genes in the C. oleifera seed development and oil accumulation, which will contribute to the future molecular breeding of C. oleifera.

The cytokinin response factors (CRFs) are pivotal players in regulating plant growth, development, and responses to diverse stresses. Despite their significance, comprehensive information on CRF genes in the primary food crop, maize, remains scarce. In this study, a genome-wide analysis of CRF genes in maize was conducted, resulting in the identification of 12 members. Subsequently, we assessed the chromosomal locations, gene duplication events, evolutionary relationships, conserved motifs, and gene structures of all ZmCRF members. Analysis of ZmCRF promoter regions indicated the presence of cis-regulatory elements associated with plant growth regulation, hormone response, and various abiotic stress responses. The expression patterns of maize CRF genes, presented in heatmaps, exhibited distinctive patterns of tissue specificity and responsiveness to multiple abiotic stresses. qRT-PCR experiments were conducted on six selected genes and confirmed the involvement of ZmCRF genes in the plant\'s adaptive responses to diverse environmental challenges. In addition, ZmCRF9 was demonstrated to positively regulate cold and salt tolerance. Ultimately, we explored the putative interaction partners of ZmCRF proteins. In summary, this systematic overview and deep investigation of ZmCRF9 provides a solid foundation for further exploration into how these genes contribute to the complex interplay of plant growth, development, and responses to stress.

Epidemiological studies frequently classify groups based on phenotypes like self-reported skin color/race, which inaccurately represent genetic ancestry and may lead to misclassification, particularly among individuals of multiracial backgrounds. This study aimed to characterize both global and local genome-wide genetic ancestries and to assess their relationship with self-reported skin color/race in an admixed population of Sao Paulo city. We analyzed 226,346 single-nucleotide polymorphisms from 841 individuals participating in the population-based ISA-Nutrition study. Our findings confirmed the admixed nature of the population, demonstrating substantial European, significant Sub-Saharan African, and minor Native American ancestries, irrespective of skin color. A correlation was observed between global genetic ancestry and self-reported color-race, which was more evident in the extreme proportions of African and European ancestries. Individuals with higher African ancestry tended to identify as Black, those with higher European ancestry tended to identify as White, and individuals with higher Native American ancestry were more likely to self-identify as Mixed, a group with diverse ancestral compositions. However, at the individual level, this correlation was notably weak, and no deviations were observed for specific regions throughout the individual\'s genome. Our findings emphasize the significance of accurately defining and thoroughly analyzing race and ancestry, especially within admixed populations.

Schima superba, commonly known as the Chinese guger tree, is highly adaptable and tolerant of poor soil conditions. It is one of the primary species forming the evergreen broad-leaved forests in southern China. Dirigent proteins (DIRs) play crucial roles in the synthesis of plant lignin and lignans, secondary metabolism, and response to adversity stress. However, research on the DIR gene family in S. superba is currently limited. This study identified 24 SsDIR genes, categorizing them into three subfamilies. These genes are unevenly distributed across 13 chromosomes, with 83% being intronless. Collinearity analysis indicated that tandem duplication played a more significant role in the expansion of the gene family compared to segmental duplication. Additionally, we analyzed the expression patterns of SsDIRs in different tissues of S. superba. The SsDIR genes exhibited distinct expression patterns across various tissues, with most being specifically expressed in the roots. Further screening identified SsDIR genes that may regulate drought stress, with many showing differential expression under drought stress conditions. In the promoter regions of SsDIRs, various cis-regulatory elements involved in developmental regulation, hormone response, and stress response were identified, which may be closely related to their diverse regulatory functions. This study will contribute to the further functional identification of SsDIR genes, providing insights into the biosynthetic pathways of lignin and lignans and the mechanisms of plant stress resistance.

Diatom has evolved response mechanisms to cope with multiple environmental stresses. Heat shock protein 40 (HSP40) plays a key role in these response mechanisms. HSP40 gene family in higher plants has been well-studied. However, the HSP40 gene family has not been systematically investigated in marine diatom. In this study, the bioinformatic characteristics, phylogenetic relationship, conserved motifs, gene structure, chromosome distribution and the transcriptional response of PtHSP40 to different environmental stresses were analyzed in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and quantitative real-time PCR was conducted. Totally, 55 putative PtHSP40 genes are distributed to 21 chromosomes. All PtHSP40 proteins can be divided into four groups based on their evolutionary relationship, and 54 of them contain a conserved HPD (histidine-proline-aspartic acid tripeptide) motif. Additionally, six, eleven, ten and four PtHSP40 genes were significantly upregulated under the treatments of nitrogen starvation, phosphorus deprivation, 2,2\',4,4\'-tetrabrominated biphenyl ether (BDE-47) and ocean acidification, respectively. More interestingly, the expression level of 9 PtHSP40 genes was obviously upregulated in response to nickel stress, suggesting the sensitive to metal stress. The different expression models of PtHSP40 genes to environmental stresses imply the specificity of PtHSP40 proteins under different stresses. This study provides a systematic understanding of the PtHSP40 gene family in P. tricornutum and a comprehensive cognition in its functions and response mechanisms to environmental stresses.

UNASSIGNED: FAR1/FHY3 transcription factors are derived from transposase, which play important roles in light signal transduction, growth and development, and response to stress by regulating downstream gene expression. Although many FAR1/FHY3 members have been identified in various species, the FAR1/FHY3 genes in maize are not well characterized and their function in drought are unknown.
UNASSIGNED: The FAR1/FHY3 family in the maize genome was identified using PlantTFDB, Pfam, Smart, and NCBI-CDD websites. In order to investigate the evolution and functions of FAR1 genes in maize, the information of protein sequences, chromosome localization, subcellular localization, conserved motifs, evolutionary relationships and tissue expression patterns were analyzed by bioinformatics, and the expression patterns under drought stress were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
UNASSIGNED: A total of 24 ZmFAR members in maize genome, which can be divided into five subfamilies, with large differences in protein and gene structures among subfamilies. The promoter regions of ZmFARs contain abundant abiotic stress-responsive and hormone-respovensive cis-elements. Among them, drought-responsive cis-elements are quite abundant. ZmFARs were expressed in all tissues detected, but the expression level varies widely. The expression of ZmFARs were mostly down-regulated in primary roots, seminal roots, lateral roots, and mesocotyls under water deficit. Most ZmFARs were down-regulated in root after PEG-simulated drought stress.
UNASSIGNED: We performed a genome-wide and systematic identification of FAR1/FHY3 genes in maize. And most ZmFARs were down-regulated in root after drought stress. These results indicate that FAR1/FHY3 transcription factors have important roles in drought stress response, which can lay a foundation for further analysis of the functions of ZmFARs in response to drought stress.