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The Jacalin-related lectins (JRLs) gene family play a crucial role in regulating plant development and responding to environmental stress. However, a systematic bioinformatics analysis of the JRL gene family in Gramineae plants has been lacking. In this study, we identified 101 JRL proteins from five Gramineae species and classified them into eight distinct clades. Most of the AtJRL proteins clustered in the same group and were differentiated from the Gramineae JRL proteins. The analysis of protein motifs, gene structures and protein domain revealed that the JRL genes play diverse functions in Gramineae plants. Duplication events indicated that tandem duplication significantly contributed to the expansion of the JRL family, with most JRL members underwent purifying selection. Tissue expression profile analysis showed that most OsJRL genes were highly expressed in the roots, while ZmJRL genes exhibited high expression in inflorescences. Furthermore, the expression level of OsJRL and ZmJRL genes were influenced by drought, cold, heat and salt stresses, respectively, implying that these genes play important roles in response to various abiotic stresses. RT-qPCR results demonstrated that OsJRL4 was up-regulated under PEG6000 and NaCl stresses, while OsJRL12 and OsJRL26 were down-regulated under PEG6000. These findings provide comprehensive insights into the JRL gene family in Gramineae plants and will facilitate further functional characterization of JRLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Casparian strip membrane domain proteins like (CASPL), exhibit profound associations with root development, stress responsiveness and mineral element uptake in plants. Nonetheless, a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the ZmCASPL gene family in maize remains unreported. In the study, we have identified 47 ZmCASPL members at the whole-genome level, systematically classifying them into six distinct groups. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that the same group of ZmCASPL contains similar gene structures and conserved motifs. Duplication events showed whole genome duplication (WGD) and tandem duplication (TD) contribute to the generation of the ZmCASPL gene family together in maize, but the former plays a more prominent role. Furthermore, we observed that most ZmCASPL genes contain MYB-binding sites (CAACCA), which are associated with the Casparian strip. Utilizing RNA-seq data, we found that ZmCASPL21 and ZmCASPL47 are specifically highly expressed only in the roots. This finding implies that ZmCASPL21 and ZmCASPL47 may be involved in the Casparian strip development. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis illuminated that drought, salt, heat, cold stresses, low nitrogen and phosphorus conditions, as well as pathogen infection, significantly impact the expression patterns of ZmCASPL genes. RT-qPCR revealed that ZmCASPL 5/13/25/44 genes showed different expression patterns under PEG and NaCl treatments. Collectively, these findings provide a robust theoretical foundation for further investigations into the functional roles of the ZmCASPL gene family in maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid Alkalization Factor (RALF) is a signaling molecule in plants that plays a crucial role in growth and development, reproductive processes, and responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Although RALF peptides have been characterized in Arabidopsis and rice, a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the ZmRALF gene family in maize is still lacking. In this study, we identified 20 RALF genes in the maize genome. Sequence alignment revealed significant structural variation among the ZmRALF family genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that RALF proteins from Arabidopsis, rice, and maize can be classified into four distinct clades. Duplication events suggest that the expansion of the RALF gene family in maize primarily relies on whole-genome duplication. ZmRALF genes are widely expressed across various tissues; ZmRALF1/15/18/19 are highly expressed in roots, while ZmRALF6/11/14/16 are predominantly expressed in anthers. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR demonstrated that the expression levels of ZmRALF7, ZmRALF9, and ZmRALF13 were significantly up-regulated and down-regulated in response to PEG and NaCl stresses, respectively. Overall, our study provides new insights into the role of the RALF gene family in abiotic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catharanthus roseus receptor-like kinase 1-like (CrRLK1L) plays pivotal roles in regulating plant growth and development, mediating intercellular signal transduction, and modulating responses to environmental stresses. However, a comprehensive genome-wide identification and analysis of the CrRLK1L gene family in maize remains elusive. In this study, a total of 24 CrRLK1L genes were identified in the maize whole genome. A phylogenetic analysis further revealed that CrRLK1L proteins from Arabidopsis, rice, and maize were grouped into nine distinct subgroups, with subgroup IV being unique to maize. Gene structure analysis demonstrated that the number of introns varied greatly among ZmCrRLK1L genes. Notably, the genome-wide duplication (WGD) events promoted the expansion of the ZmCrRLK1L gene family. Compared with Arabidopsis, there were more collinear gene pairs between maize and rice. Tissue expression patterns indicated that ZmCrRLK1L genes are widely expressed in various tissues, with ZmCrRLK1L5/9 specifically highly expressed in roots, and ZmCrRLK1L8/14/16/21/22 expressed in anthers. Additionally, RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that the expression of ZmCrRLK1L1/2/20/22 genes exhibited different expression patterns under drought and salt stresses. In summary, our study lays a foundation for elucidating the biological roles of ZmCrRLK1L genes in maize growth and development, reproductive development, and stress responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Casparian strip membrane domain proteins (CASPs) are pivotal for the formation of the Casparian strip (CS) in endodermal cells and play a crucial role in a plant's response to environmental stresses. However, existing research on the CASP gene family in rice and Arabidopsis lacks a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and necessitates further exploration. In this study, we identified 41 OsCASP and 39 AtCASP genes, which were grouped into six distinct subgroups. Collinearity analysis underscored the pivotal roles of WGD and TD events in driving the evolution of CASPs, with WGDs being the dominant force. On the one hand, the analysis of cis-elements indicated that most OsCASP and AtCASP genes contain MYB binding motifs. On the other hand, RNA-seq revealed that the majority of OsCASP and AtCASP genes are highly expressed in roots, particularly in endodermal cells, where OsCASP_like11/9 and AtCASP_like1/31 demonstrated the most pronounced expression. These results suggest that OsCASP_like11/9 and AtCASP_like1/31 might be candidate genes involved in the formation of the endodermis CS. RT-qPCR results demonstrated that OsCASP_like2/3/13/17/21/30 may be candidate genes for the ion defect process. Collectively, this study offers a theoretical foundation for unraveling the biological functions of CASP genes in rice and Arabidopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress, an important and damaging abiotic stress, regulates numerous WRKY transcription factors, but their roles in heat stress responses remain largely unexplored. Here, we show that pepper (Capsicum annuum) CaWRKY27 negatively regulates basal thermotolerance mediated by H2O2 signaling. CaWRKY27 expression increased during heat stress and persisted during recovery. CaWRKY27 overexpression impaired basal thermotolerance in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and Arabidopsis thaliana , CaWRKY27 -overexpressing plants had a lower survival rate under heat stress, accompanied by decreased expression of multiple thermotolerance-associated genes. Accordingly, silencing of CaWRKY27 increased basal thermotolerance in pepper plants. Exogenously applied H2O2 induced CaWRKY27 expression, and CaWRKY27 overexpression repressed the scavenging of H2O2 in Arabidopsis , indicating a positive feedback loop between H2O2 accumulation and CaWRKY27 expression. Consistent with this, CaWRKY27 expression was repressed under heat stress in the presence H2O2 scavengers and CaWRKY27 silencing decreased H2O2 accumulation in pepper leaves. These changes may result from changes in levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzymes, since the heat stress-challenged CaWRKY27 -silenced pepper plants had significantly higher expression of multiple genes encoding ROS-scavenging enzymes, such as CaCAT1 , CaAPX1 , CaAPX2 , CaCSD2 , and CaSOD1. Therefore, CaWRKY27 acts as a downstream negative regulator of H2O2-mediated heat stress responses, preventing inappropriate responses during heat stress and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress, an important and damaging abiotic stress, regulates numerous WRKY transcription factors, but their roles in heat stress responses remain largely unexplored. Here, we show that pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) CaWRKY27 negatively regulates basal thermotolerance mediated by H 2 O 2 signaling. CaWRKY27 expression increased during heat stress and persisted during recovery. CaWRKY27 overexpression impaired basal thermotolerance in tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum ) and Arabidopsis thaliana , CaWRKY27 -overexpressing plants had a lower survival rate under heat stress, accompanied by decreased expression of multiple thermotolerance-associated genes. Accordingly, silencing of CaWRKY27 increased basal thermotolerance in pepper plants. Exogenously applied H 2 O 2 induced CaWRKY27 expression, and CaWRKY27 overexpression repressed the scavenging of H 2 O 2 in Arabidopsis , indicating a positive feedback loop between H 2 O 2 accumulation and CaWRKY27 expression. Consistent with this, CaWRKY27 expression was repressed under heat stress in the presence H 2 O 2 scavengers and CaWRKY27 silencing decreased H 2 O 2 accumulation in pepper leaves. These changes may result from changes in levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzymes, since the heat stress-challenged CaWRKY27 -silenced pepper plants had significantly higher expression of multiple genes encoding ROS-scavenging enzymes, such as CaCAT1 , CaAPX1 , CaAPX2 , CaCSD2 , and CaSOD1 . Therefore, CaWRKY27 acts as a downstream negative regulator of H 2 O 2 -mediated heat stress responses, preventing inappropriate responses during heat stress and recovery.