Characteristics of the ASR gene family in peanut and its response to drought and salt stres

Abstract

Abstract [Objective] The aim of this study is to explore the characteristics of peanut ASR gene family and their roles in response to drought and salt stress, and to provide potential gene loci for the breeding of drought- and salt-resistant peanut varieties. [Methods] The ASR gene family of peanut was identified and its characteristics were analyzed by bioinformatics method at the genome level. Transcriptome data was used to analyze expression changes after 200 mmol/L NaCl and PEG treatment. [Results] (1) Seven ASR genes were identified, with pI value ranging from 5.34 to 6.98. The aliphatic index was between 23.77- 56.84 and the GRAVY value was negative, indicating that these proteins were hydrophilic. (2) The expression pattern of AhASR3 and AhASR7 genes was similar, with high transcription level, similar gene structure, protein structure domain, and the number of conserved motifs, and motifs 5, 6, and 9 were only found in AhASR3 and AhASR7 proteins. (3) The promoter regions of AhASR1, AhASR5, and AhASR2 contained drought-induced MYB transcription factor binding sites, and the promoter regions of AhASR1, AhASR2, and AhASR4 contained ABA response elements. (4) The transcription of AhASR2, AhASR3, and AhASR7 was up-regulated in roots at 200 mmol/L NaCl. (5) The transcription levels of AhASR1, AhASR3, AhASR4, and AhASR7 were up-regulated more than two-fold after PEG treatment for 4 h and 8 h. [Conclusion] ASR proteins in peanut are hydrophilic, and there are both conserved domains and specific sequences among ASR members. Most of the members have drought response elements in the promoter region and are induced by salt treatment and PEG treatment, which can be used as important candidate genes for the cultivation of salt- and drought- tolerant peanut varieties.

Keywords

• peanut (arachis hypogaea l.)
• drought stress
• salt stress
• asr gene