Genome-wide characterization of GRAS gene family and their expression profiles under diverse biotic and abiotic stresses in Amorphophallus konjac

Abstract Background The GRAS gene family is a plant-specific group of genes that play critical roles in various biological processes, including plant growth and development, responses to adverse stress, light signaling, hormone signaling, and others. To elucidate the characteristics of the GRAS tran...

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Main Authors: Haoliang Shi, Ming Yang, Zhongsi Liu, Jianrong Zhao, Ying Qi, Jianwei Guo, Penghua Gao, Feiyan Huang, Jiani Liu, Lei Yu, Lifang Li
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Genomics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11777-6
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author Haoliang Shi
Ming Yang
Zhongsi Liu
Jianrong Zhao
Ying Qi
Jianwei Guo
Penghua Gao
Feiyan Huang
Jiani Liu
Lei Yu
Lifang Li
author_facet Haoliang Shi
Ming Yang
Zhongsi Liu
Jianrong Zhao
Ying Qi
Jianwei Guo
Penghua Gao
Feiyan Huang
Jiani Liu
Lei Yu
Lifang Li
author_sort Haoliang Shi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The GRAS gene family is a plant-specific group of genes that play critical roles in various biological processes, including plant growth and development, responses to adverse stress, light signaling, hormone signaling, and others. To elucidate the characteristics of the GRAS transcription factor family in Amorphophallus konjac (AkGRAS), we identified GRAS family members based on whole-genome data and bioinformatics methods. We further analyzed their physicochemical properties, gene structure, evolutionary relationships, regulatory networks, and stress response patterns using bioinformatics tools. Results A total of 57 AkGRAS genes were identified in the A. konjac genome. Most of the encoded proteins were unstable, hydrophilic proteins with molecular weights ranging from 15.78 to 90.82 kDa. Chromosomal localization analysis revealed that the 57 AkGRAS genes were unevenly distributed across 13 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified the 57 AkGRAS genes into eleven subgroups: DELLA, Os04, SHR, PAT1, HAM, SCR, SCL28, SCL4/7, LAS, LISCL, and SCL3. Six pairs of duplicated genes were identified within the AkGRAS gene family. Protein-protein functional associations analysis suggested that the top three functionally associated proteins were RGA, PAT1-2, and NSP2 in Arabidopsis thaliana. Enrichment analysis predicted the involvement of AkGRAS genes in numerous biological processes. To investigate the expression patterns of AkGRAS genes under Abscisic Acid (ABA), Jasmonic Acid (JA), Salicylic Acid (SA), Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc), low temperature, drought, and Salt stresses, we analyzed RNA-seq data and performed RT-qPCR assays. Our results indicated that these genes exhibited tissue-specific expression and diverse responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Specifically, AkGRAS07, AkGRAS09, and AkGRAS19 expression were upregulated under Pcc infection. AkGRAS19, AkGRAS34, AkGRAS38, and AkGRAS39 were upregulated in response to low-temperature stress. Additionally, AkGRAS09, AkGRAS19, AkGRAS34, and AkGRAS38 were highly induced by drought stress. Notably, AkGRAS23 and AkGRAS53 showed markedly higher expression levels under the 21-day natural drought treatment compared to other conditions. Furthermore, AkGRAS07, AkGRAS09, AkGRAS19, AkGRAS34 and AkGRAS38 were strongly upregulated under 24 h salt treatment. Conclusions This study identified candidate GRAS genes in A. konjac that may play crucial roles in biotic and abiotic stress responses. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for further research on the functions of AkGRAS genes and their underlying mechanisms in A. konjac stress tolerance.
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spelling doaj-art-145906f5b76c49008e71b5780bb0d6ac2025-08-20T03:04:17ZengBMCBMC Genomics1471-21642025-07-0126112010.1186/s12864-025-11777-6Genome-wide characterization of GRAS gene family and their expression profiles under diverse biotic and abiotic stresses in Amorphophallus konjacHaoliang Shi0Ming Yang1Zhongsi Liu2Jianrong Zhao3Ying Qi4Jianwei Guo5Penghua Gao6Feiyan Huang7Jiani Liu8Lei Yu9Lifang Li10Yunnan Key Laboratory of Konjac Biology, College of Agronomy, Yunnan Urban Agricultural Engineering and Technological Research Center, Kunming UniversityYunnan Key Laboratory of Konjac Biology, College of Agronomy, Yunnan Urban Agricultural Engineering and Technological Research Center, Kunming UniversityLuohe Key Laboratory of Food Safety and Nutritional Health, Luohe Weilong Biotechnology Co., LtdYunnan Key Laboratory of Konjac Biology, College of Agronomy, Yunnan Urban Agricultural Engineering and Technological Research Center, Kunming UniversityYunnan Key Laboratory of Konjac Biology, College of Agronomy, Yunnan Urban Agricultural Engineering and Technological Research Center, Kunming UniversityYunnan Key Laboratory of Konjac Biology, College of Agronomy, Yunnan Urban Agricultural Engineering and Technological Research Center, Kunming UniversityYunnan Key Laboratory of Konjac Biology, College of Agronomy, Yunnan Urban Agricultural Engineering and Technological Research Center, Kunming UniversityYunnan Key Laboratory of Konjac Biology, College of Agronomy, Yunnan Urban Agricultural Engineering and Technological Research Center, Kunming UniversityYunnan Key Laboratory of Konjac Biology, College of Agronomy, Yunnan Urban Agricultural Engineering and Technological Research Center, Kunming UniversityYunnan Key Laboratory of Konjac Biology, College of Agronomy, Yunnan Urban Agricultural Engineering and Technological Research Center, Kunming UniversityYunnan Key Laboratory of Konjac Biology, College of Agronomy, Yunnan Urban Agricultural Engineering and Technological Research Center, Kunming UniversityAbstract Background The GRAS gene family is a plant-specific group of genes that play critical roles in various biological processes, including plant growth and development, responses to adverse stress, light signaling, hormone signaling, and others. To elucidate the characteristics of the GRAS transcription factor family in Amorphophallus konjac (AkGRAS), we identified GRAS family members based on whole-genome data and bioinformatics methods. We further analyzed their physicochemical properties, gene structure, evolutionary relationships, regulatory networks, and stress response patterns using bioinformatics tools. Results A total of 57 AkGRAS genes were identified in the A. konjac genome. Most of the encoded proteins were unstable, hydrophilic proteins with molecular weights ranging from 15.78 to 90.82 kDa. Chromosomal localization analysis revealed that the 57 AkGRAS genes were unevenly distributed across 13 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified the 57 AkGRAS genes into eleven subgroups: DELLA, Os04, SHR, PAT1, HAM, SCR, SCL28, SCL4/7, LAS, LISCL, and SCL3. Six pairs of duplicated genes were identified within the AkGRAS gene family. Protein-protein functional associations analysis suggested that the top three functionally associated proteins were RGA, PAT1-2, and NSP2 in Arabidopsis thaliana. Enrichment analysis predicted the involvement of AkGRAS genes in numerous biological processes. To investigate the expression patterns of AkGRAS genes under Abscisic Acid (ABA), Jasmonic Acid (JA), Salicylic Acid (SA), Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc), low temperature, drought, and Salt stresses, we analyzed RNA-seq data and performed RT-qPCR assays. Our results indicated that these genes exhibited tissue-specific expression and diverse responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Specifically, AkGRAS07, AkGRAS09, and AkGRAS19 expression were upregulated under Pcc infection. AkGRAS19, AkGRAS34, AkGRAS38, and AkGRAS39 were upregulated in response to low-temperature stress. Additionally, AkGRAS09, AkGRAS19, AkGRAS34, and AkGRAS38 were highly induced by drought stress. Notably, AkGRAS23 and AkGRAS53 showed markedly higher expression levels under the 21-day natural drought treatment compared to other conditions. Furthermore, AkGRAS07, AkGRAS09, AkGRAS19, AkGRAS34 and AkGRAS38 were strongly upregulated under 24 h salt treatment. Conclusions This study identified candidate GRAS genes in A. konjac that may play crucial roles in biotic and abiotic stress responses. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for further research on the functions of AkGRAS genes and their underlying mechanisms in A. konjac stress tolerance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11777-6Amorphophallus konjacGRAS gene familyGenome-wide analysisBioinformaticsExpression pattern
spellingShingle Haoliang Shi
Ming Yang
Zhongsi Liu
Jianrong Zhao
Ying Qi
Jianwei Guo
Penghua Gao
Feiyan Huang
Jiani Liu
Lei Yu
Lifang Li
Genome-wide characterization of GRAS gene family and their expression profiles under diverse biotic and abiotic stresses in Amorphophallus konjac
BMC Genomics
Amorphophallus konjac
GRAS gene family
Genome-wide analysis
Bioinformatics
Expression pattern
title Genome-wide characterization of GRAS gene family and their expression profiles under diverse biotic and abiotic stresses in Amorphophallus konjac
title_full Genome-wide characterization of GRAS gene family and their expression profiles under diverse biotic and abiotic stresses in Amorphophallus konjac
title_fullStr Genome-wide characterization of GRAS gene family and their expression profiles under diverse biotic and abiotic stresses in Amorphophallus konjac
title_full_unstemmed Genome-wide characterization of GRAS gene family and their expression profiles under diverse biotic and abiotic stresses in Amorphophallus konjac
title_short Genome-wide characterization of GRAS gene family and their expression profiles under diverse biotic and abiotic stresses in Amorphophallus konjac
title_sort genome wide characterization of gras gene family and their expression profiles under diverse biotic and abiotic stresses in amorphophallus konjac
topic Amorphophallus konjac
GRAS gene family
Genome-wide analysis
Bioinformatics
Expression pattern
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11777-6
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