GRAS transcription factor- Genome-wide identification, characterization and expression analysis in Avena sativa L. under salinity stress

Abstract

The GRAS family of transcription factors has played crucial roles in regulating various biological processes essential for plant development and abiotic stress responses. Since the availability of the Avena sativa genome sequence, in-depth analysis and genome-wide identification of GRAS family genes, particularly in Avena sativa, remain largely unexplored. This knowledge gap warrants a comprehensive investigation to uncover the genetic and functional diversity of GRAS genes in Avena sativa. In this study, 56 GRAS genes (along with transcripts) in Avena sativa were identified from the Graingenes database and given names based on the chromosomal location. The conserved motifs, gene structures, gene duplication events, physiochemical properties, cis-acting elements, and expression patterns were further examined. These 56 AsGRAS members are classified into 10 subfamilies according to phylogenetic analysis. All genes are randomly dispersed throughout the 21 chromosomes with one tandem duplication and 27 pairs of segmental duplications, this may be the primary cause of the GRAS gene family's expansion. Gene structures exposed intron numbers varying from zero to two and exons from one to three. Expression profiling identified 9 Avena GRAS genes that respond to salt stress based on RNA-Seq data available on the NCBI SRA database and validated through RT-PCR. These GRAS genes represent promising candidates for in-depth functional analysis and can be leveraged to develop stress-resilient cultivars in Avena sativa, enhancing crop resilience and sustainability.

Keywords

• Avena sativa
• Transcription factor
• GRAS
• Expression analysis
• Phylogeny
• Genome-wide analysis