In silico identification and functional annotation of universal stress protein (USP) gene family in Chenopodium quinoa

Abstract Quinoa is a resilient crop with significant genetic diversity, enabling it to thrive in various climates. This study focuses on the Universal Stress Protein (USP) gene family in quinoa. It helps plants maintain homeostasis in response to drought, high salinity, extreme temperatures, and sca...

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Main Authors: Hajira Imran, Alvina Gul, Rehan Zafar Paracha, Rabia Amir, Faiza Munir, Muhammad Faraz Bhatti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03264-5
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author Hajira Imran
Alvina Gul
Rehan Zafar Paracha
Rabia Amir
Faiza Munir
Muhammad Faraz Bhatti
author_facet Hajira Imran
Alvina Gul
Rehan Zafar Paracha
Rabia Amir
Faiza Munir
Muhammad Faraz Bhatti
author_sort Hajira Imran
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Quinoa is a resilient crop with significant genetic diversity, enabling it to thrive in various climates. This study focuses on the Universal Stress Protein (USP) gene family in quinoa. It helps plants maintain homeostasis in response to drought, high salinity, extreme temperatures, and scavenging reactive oxygen species. The research conducted a genome-wide analysis of C. quinoa USP genes (CqUSPs). The gene structure, distribution of motifs, phylogenetic history, and duplication of CqUSPs were analysed. Analysis of cis-elements, protein–protein interactions, and micro-RNAs that target CqUSPs revealed important insights into the regulatory mechanisms, functional associations and post-transcriptional control of these genes. We have identified 41 sequences inside the allotetraploid genome. Domain architecture helped us understand the multifunctional nature of CqUSPs. Analysis of transcriptome data has demonstrated that the CqUSP gene family plays a role in the defence response to drought and heat stress conditions in quinoa. Protein–protein interaction studies showed their roles in amino acid metabolism, chaperone activity, ubiquitination, and DNA repair mechanisms. This comprehensive study reveals the identification and characterisation of CqUSP genes, offering valuable insights for further exploration of abiotic stress tolerance in quinoa. Additional research, such as expression profiling, might assist in confirming the stress-specific transcriptional regulation of these genes. To the best of our knowledge this the first detailed study conducted on the identification and interaction network of USP gene family in quinoa.
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spelling doaj-art-9e42decc01e84cbcbc882821f7b0240d2025-08-20T02:00:12ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111910.1038/s41598-025-03264-5In silico identification and functional annotation of universal stress protein (USP) gene family in Chenopodium quinoaHajira Imran0Alvina Gul1Rehan Zafar Paracha2Rabia Amir3Faiza Munir4Muhammad Faraz Bhatti5Department of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)Department of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)Green Biotec, GmbHDepartment of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)Department of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)Department of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)Abstract Quinoa is a resilient crop with significant genetic diversity, enabling it to thrive in various climates. This study focuses on the Universal Stress Protein (USP) gene family in quinoa. It helps plants maintain homeostasis in response to drought, high salinity, extreme temperatures, and scavenging reactive oxygen species. The research conducted a genome-wide analysis of C. quinoa USP genes (CqUSPs). The gene structure, distribution of motifs, phylogenetic history, and duplication of CqUSPs were analysed. Analysis of cis-elements, protein–protein interactions, and micro-RNAs that target CqUSPs revealed important insights into the regulatory mechanisms, functional associations and post-transcriptional control of these genes. We have identified 41 sequences inside the allotetraploid genome. Domain architecture helped us understand the multifunctional nature of CqUSPs. Analysis of transcriptome data has demonstrated that the CqUSP gene family plays a role in the defence response to drought and heat stress conditions in quinoa. Protein–protein interaction studies showed their roles in amino acid metabolism, chaperone activity, ubiquitination, and DNA repair mechanisms. This comprehensive study reveals the identification and characterisation of CqUSP genes, offering valuable insights for further exploration of abiotic stress tolerance in quinoa. Additional research, such as expression profiling, might assist in confirming the stress-specific transcriptional regulation of these genes. To the best of our knowledge this the first detailed study conducted on the identification and interaction network of USP gene family in quinoa.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03264-5QuinoaAbiotic stressesUniversal stress proteins (USP)Stress-responsive signallingProtein protein interactions
spellingShingle Hajira Imran
Alvina Gul
Rehan Zafar Paracha
Rabia Amir
Faiza Munir
Muhammad Faraz Bhatti
In silico identification and functional annotation of universal stress protein (USP) gene family in Chenopodium quinoa
Scientific Reports
Quinoa
Abiotic stresses
Universal stress proteins (USP)
Stress-responsive signalling
Protein protein interactions
title In silico identification and functional annotation of universal stress protein (USP) gene family in Chenopodium quinoa
title_full In silico identification and functional annotation of universal stress protein (USP) gene family in Chenopodium quinoa
title_fullStr In silico identification and functional annotation of universal stress protein (USP) gene family in Chenopodium quinoa
title_full_unstemmed In silico identification and functional annotation of universal stress protein (USP) gene family in Chenopodium quinoa
title_short In silico identification and functional annotation of universal stress protein (USP) gene family in Chenopodium quinoa
title_sort in silico identification and functional annotation of universal stress protein usp gene family in chenopodium quinoa
topic Quinoa
Abiotic stresses
Universal stress proteins (USP)
Stress-responsive signalling
Protein protein interactions
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03264-5
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