TY - JOUR

T1 - Genome Wide Identification and Comparative Analysis of the Serpin Gene Family in Brachypodium and Barley

AU - Rehman, Shazia

AU - Jørgensen, Bodil

AU - Aziz, Ejaz

AU - Batool, Riffat

AU - Naseer, Samar

AU - Rasmussen, Søren K.

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Serpins (serine protease inhibitors) constitute one of the largest and most widely distributed superfamilies of protease inhibitors and have been identified in nearly all organisms. To gain significant insights, a comprehensive in silico analysis of the serpin gene family was carried out in the model plant for temperate grasses Brachypodium distachyon and barley Hordeum vulgare using bioinformatic tools at the genome level for the first time. We identified a total of 27 BdSRPs and 25 HvSRP genes in Brachypodium and barley, respectively, showing an unexpectedly high gene number in these model plants. Gene structure, conserved motifs and phylogenetic comparisons of serpin genes supported the role of duplication events in the expansion and evolution of serpin gene family. Further, purifying selection pressure was found to be a main driving force in the evolution of serpin genes. Genome synteny analysis indicated that BdSRP genes were present in syntenic regions of barley, rice, sorghum and maize, suggesting that they evolved before the divergence of these species from common ancestor. The distinct expression pattern in specific tissues further suggested a specialization of functions during development and in plant defense. These results suggest that the LR serpins (serpins with Leu-Arg residues at P2-P1 ') identified here can be utilized as candidates for exploitation in disease resistance, pest control and preventing stress-induced cell death. Additionally, serpins were identified that could lead to further research aimed at validating and functionally characterizing the role of potential serpin genes from other plants.

AB - Serpins (serine protease inhibitors) constitute one of the largest and most widely distributed superfamilies of protease inhibitors and have been identified in nearly all organisms. To gain significant insights, a comprehensive in silico analysis of the serpin gene family was carried out in the model plant for temperate grasses Brachypodium distachyon and barley Hordeum vulgare using bioinformatic tools at the genome level for the first time. We identified a total of 27 BdSRPs and 25 HvSRP genes in Brachypodium and barley, respectively, showing an unexpectedly high gene number in these model plants. Gene structure, conserved motifs and phylogenetic comparisons of serpin genes supported the role of duplication events in the expansion and evolution of serpin gene family. Further, purifying selection pressure was found to be a main driving force in the evolution of serpin genes. Genome synteny analysis indicated that BdSRP genes were present in syntenic regions of barley, rice, sorghum and maize, suggesting that they evolved before the divergence of these species from common ancestor. The distinct expression pattern in specific tissues further suggested a specialization of functions during development and in plant defense. These results suggest that the LR serpins (serpins with Leu-Arg residues at P2-P1 ') identified here can be utilized as candidates for exploitation in disease resistance, pest control and preventing stress-induced cell death. Additionally, serpins were identified that could lead to further research aimed at validating and functionally characterizing the role of potential serpin genes from other plants.

KW - serpin proteins

KW - phylogenetic comparison

KW - gene duplication

KW - selection pressure

KW - genome synteny

KW - DISTINCT REACTIVE CENTERS

KW - PROTEASE INHIBITORS

KW - CONFORMATIONAL-CHANGE

KW - ARABIDOPSIS-THALIANA

KW - HORDEUM-VULGARE

KW - EXPRESSION

KW - GRAIN

KW - PROTEINS

KW - RESISTANCE

KW - GLUTAMINE

U2 - 10.3390/plants9111439

DO - 10.3390/plants9111439

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33114466

VL - 9

JO - Plants

JF - Plants

SN - 2223-7747

IS - 11

M1 - 1439

ER -