Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of SnRK2 Gene Family in Dormant Vegetative Buds of Liriodendron chinense in Response to Abscisic Acid, Chilling, and Photoperiod

Abstract

Protein kinases play an essential role in plants’ responses to environmental stress signals. SnRK2 (sucrose non-fermenting 1-related protein kinase 2) is a plant-specific protein kinase that plays a crucial role in abscisic acid and abiotic stress responses in some model plant species. In apple, corn, rice, pepper, grapevine, Arabidopsis thaliana, potato, and tomato, a genome-wide study of the SnRK2 protein family was performed earlier. The genome-wide comprehensive investigation was first revealed to categorize the SnRK2 genes in the Liriodendron chinense (L. chinense). The five SnRK2 genes found in the L. chinense genome were highlighted in this study. The structural gene variants, 3D structure, chromosomal distributions, motif analysis, phylogeny, subcellular localization, cis-regulatory elements, expression profiles in dormant buds, and photoperiod and chilling responses were all investigated in this research. The five SnRK2 genes from L. chinense were grouped into groups (I–IV) based on phylogeny analysis, with three being closely related to other species. Five hormones-, six stress-, two growths and biological process-, and two metabolic-related responsive elements were discovered by studying the cis-elements in the promoters. According to the expression analyses, all five genes were up- and down-regulated in response to abscisic acid (ABA), photoperiod, chilling, and chilling, as well as photoperiod treatments. Our findings gave insight into the SnRK2 family genes in L. chinense and opened up new study options.