Genome-Wide Identification and Cold Stress Response Mechanism of Barley Di19 Gene Family

The Di19 (Drought-induced 19) gene family encodes Cys2/His2-type zinc finger proteins that are known to be involved in plant responses to various abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, and temperature extremes. However, little is known about their roles in barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare<...

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Main Authors: Wenbo Chai, Chao Yuan, Shufen Li, Hanyuan Xu, Qing Zhu, Hongtao Li, Wei Ji, Jun Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/5/508
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author Wenbo Chai
Chao Yuan
Shufen Li
Hanyuan Xu
Qing Zhu
Hongtao Li
Wei Ji
Jun Wang
author_facet Wenbo Chai
Chao Yuan
Shufen Li
Hanyuan Xu
Qing Zhu
Hongtao Li
Wei Ji
Jun Wang
author_sort Wenbo Chai
collection DOAJ
description The Di19 (Drought-induced 19) gene family encodes Cys2/His2-type zinc finger proteins that are known to be involved in plant responses to various abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, and temperature extremes. However, little is known about their roles in barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i>), particularly in cold stress adaptation. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the barley genome to identify Di19 gene family members and examine their expression patterns under cold stress, providing theoretical support for stress-resistant barley breeding. By aligning Di19 gene sequences from <i>Arabidopsis</i> and rice and using BLASTp, seven <i>HvDi19</i> genes were identified in barley. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that all members contain a conserved Cys2/His2-type zinc finger domain and nuclear localization signals. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the <i>HvDi19</i> genes into four subfamilies, with three homologous gene pairs, and Ka/Ks analysis indicated strong purifying selection. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed significant variation in <i>HvDi19</i> expression across barley organs. Under cold stress, different barley varieties exhibited distinct <i>HvDi19</i> gene expression profiles: for instance, <i>HvDi19-1</i> was downregulated in cold-tolerant varieties, whereas <i>HvDi19-7</i> showed increased expression in a cold-tolerant mutant, suggesting their potential roles in modulating cold response. These findings reveal the evolutionary conservation and cold-responsive expression characteristics of the <i>HvDi19</i> gene family, laying a foundation for future functional studies. The results also provide important molecular resources for the genetic improvement of cold tolerance in barley, contributing to the development of stress-resilient crop varieties under climate change.
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spelling doaj-art-be023f5d32b647eca46684abddc43e282025-08-20T02:33:38ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-05-0114550810.3390/biology14050508Genome-Wide Identification and Cold Stress Response Mechanism of Barley Di19 Gene FamilyWenbo Chai0Chao Yuan1Shufen Li2Hanyuan Xu3Qing Zhu4Hongtao Li5Wei Ji6Jun Wang7Lianyungang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lianyungang 222006, ChinaLianyungang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lianyungang 222006, ChinaLianyungang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lianyungang 222006, ChinaLianyungang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lianyungang 222006, ChinaLianyungang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lianyungang 222006, ChinaLianyungang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lianyungang 222006, ChinaLianyungang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lianyungang 222006, ChinaLianyungang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lianyungang 222006, ChinaThe Di19 (Drought-induced 19) gene family encodes Cys2/His2-type zinc finger proteins that are known to be involved in plant responses to various abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, and temperature extremes. However, little is known about their roles in barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i>), particularly in cold stress adaptation. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the barley genome to identify Di19 gene family members and examine their expression patterns under cold stress, providing theoretical support for stress-resistant barley breeding. By aligning Di19 gene sequences from <i>Arabidopsis</i> and rice and using BLASTp, seven <i>HvDi19</i> genes were identified in barley. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that all members contain a conserved Cys2/His2-type zinc finger domain and nuclear localization signals. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the <i>HvDi19</i> genes into four subfamilies, with three homologous gene pairs, and Ka/Ks analysis indicated strong purifying selection. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed significant variation in <i>HvDi19</i> expression across barley organs. Under cold stress, different barley varieties exhibited distinct <i>HvDi19</i> gene expression profiles: for instance, <i>HvDi19-1</i> was downregulated in cold-tolerant varieties, whereas <i>HvDi19-7</i> showed increased expression in a cold-tolerant mutant, suggesting their potential roles in modulating cold response. These findings reveal the evolutionary conservation and cold-responsive expression characteristics of the <i>HvDi19</i> gene family, laying a foundation for future functional studies. The results also provide important molecular resources for the genetic improvement of cold tolerance in barley, contributing to the development of stress-resilient crop varieties under climate change.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/5/508barleycold stressDi19 gene familygene expression
spellingShingle Wenbo Chai
Chao Yuan
Shufen Li
Hanyuan Xu
Qing Zhu
Hongtao Li
Wei Ji
Jun Wang
Genome-Wide Identification and Cold Stress Response Mechanism of Barley Di19 Gene Family
Biology
barley
cold stress
Di19 gene family
gene expression
title Genome-Wide Identification and Cold Stress Response Mechanism of Barley Di19 Gene Family
title_full Genome-Wide Identification and Cold Stress Response Mechanism of Barley Di19 Gene Family
title_fullStr Genome-Wide Identification and Cold Stress Response Mechanism of Barley Di19 Gene Family
title_full_unstemmed Genome-Wide Identification and Cold Stress Response Mechanism of Barley Di19 Gene Family
title_short Genome-Wide Identification and Cold Stress Response Mechanism of Barley Di19 Gene Family
title_sort genome wide identification and cold stress response mechanism of barley di19 gene family
topic barley
cold stress
Di19 gene family
gene expression
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/5/508
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