Comprehensive Genome-Wide Analysis and Expression Pattern Profiling of <i>PLATZ</i> Gene Family Members in <i>Solanum Lycopersicum</i> L. under Multiple Abiotic Stresses

oleh: Antt Htet Wai, Md Mustafizur Rahman, Muhammad Waseem, Lae-Hyeon Cho, Aung Htay Naing, Jong-Seong Jeon, Do-jin Lee, Chang-Kil Kim, Mi-Young Chung

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-11-01

Deskripsi

PLATZ (plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding) family proteins with two conserved zinc-dependent DNA-binding motifs are transcription factors specific to the plant kingdom. The functions of PLATZ proteins in growth, development, and adaptation to multiple abiotic stresses have been investigated in various plant species, but their role in tomato has not been explored yet. In the present work, 20 non-redundant <i>Solanum lycopersicum PLATZ</i> (<i>SlPLATZ</i>) genes with three segmentally duplicated gene pairs and four tandemly duplicated gene pairs were identified on eight tomato chromosomes. The comparative modeling and gene ontology (GO) annotations of tomato PLATZ proteins indicated their probable roles in defense response, transcriptional regulation, and protein metabolic processes as well as their binding affinity for various ligands, including nucleic acids, peptides, and zinc. <i>SlPLATZ10</i> and <i>SlPLATZ17</i> were only expressed in 1 cm fruits and flowers, respectively, indicating their preferential involvement in the development of these organs. The expression of <i>SlPLATZ1</i>, <i>SlPLATZ12</i>, and <i>SlPLATZ19</i> was up- or down-regulated following exposure to various abiotic stresses, whereas that of <i>SlPLATZ11</i> was induced under temperature stresses (i.e., cold and heat stress), revealing their probable function in the abiotic stress tolerance of tomato. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis corroborated the aforementioned findings by spotlighting the co-expression of several stress-associated genes with <i>SlPLATZ</i> genes. Confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed the localization of SlPLATZ–GFP fusion proteins in the nucleus, hinting at their functions as transcription factors. These findings provide a foundation for a better understanding of the structure and function of <i>PLATZ</i> genes and should assist in the selection of potential candidate genes involved in the development and abiotic stress adaptation in tomato.