Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> Channel Gene Family in Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) Under Potassium Stress

Shaker K<sup>+</sup> channel proteins are responsible for potassium (K<sup>+</sup>) uptake and transport, playing a critical role in plant growth, development, and adaptation to K<sup>+</sup> deficiency. Cassava, a key tropical root crop, is known for its characte...

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Main Authors: Xianhai Xie, Chenyu Lin, Feilong Yu, Haozheng Li, Jin Xiao, Mingjuan Zheng, Wenquan Wang, Xin Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2213
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author Xianhai Xie
Chenyu Lin
Feilong Yu
Haozheng Li
Jin Xiao
Mingjuan Zheng
Wenquan Wang
Xin Guo
author_facet Xianhai Xie
Chenyu Lin
Feilong Yu
Haozheng Li
Jin Xiao
Mingjuan Zheng
Wenquan Wang
Xin Guo
author_sort Xianhai Xie
collection DOAJ
description Shaker K<sup>+</sup> channel proteins are responsible for potassium (K<sup>+</sup>) uptake and transport, playing a critical role in plant growth, development, and adaptation to K<sup>+</sup> deficiency. Cassava, a key tropical root crop, is known for its characteristic of resilience to nutrient-poor soil and drought stress. However, the Shaker K<sup>+</sup> channel gene family in cassava has not yet been characterized. In this study, 13 Shaker channel genes were identified from the near telomere-to-telomere (T2T) cassava genome using bioinformatics analysis. Phylogenetic relationships classified these genes into five distinct subfamilies, and all encoded proteins contained the conserved GYGD/GYGE motif typical of Shaker channels. Protein interaction network predictions revealed potential interactions among the Shaker family, as well as with the potassium transporter HAK5. Tissue-specific expression pattern analysis showed that <i>MeGORK</i> and <i>MeAKT1.2</i> were expressed in all tissues. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis was conducted to examine the transcriptional levels of <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> channel gene family members in the roots and leaves of two cassava germplasms with different low-potassium tolerance after one month of low-potassium treatment. The results revealed that <i>MeAKT1.2</i>, <i>MeAKT2.2</i>, and <i>MeKAT1</i> exhibited distinct expression patterns between the two germplasms, with higher expression levels observed in the potassium-tolerant germplasm. Therefore, these three genes may serve as important candidate genes for potassium stress tolerance in cassava. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the characteristics and biological functions of the <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> channel gene family in cassava and identifies potential candidate genes for breeding or engineering potassium-efficient cassava cultivars.
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spelling doaj-art-be1445bc63df422f9545b4b300e23ff22025-08-20T03:08:06ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-07-011414221310.3390/plants14142213Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> Channel Gene Family in Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) Under Potassium StressXianhai Xie0Chenyu Lin1Feilong Yu2Haozheng Li3Jin Xiao4Mingjuan Zheng5Wenquan Wang6Xin Guo7School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSchool of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaShaker K<sup>+</sup> channel proteins are responsible for potassium (K<sup>+</sup>) uptake and transport, playing a critical role in plant growth, development, and adaptation to K<sup>+</sup> deficiency. Cassava, a key tropical root crop, is known for its characteristic of resilience to nutrient-poor soil and drought stress. However, the Shaker K<sup>+</sup> channel gene family in cassava has not yet been characterized. In this study, 13 Shaker channel genes were identified from the near telomere-to-telomere (T2T) cassava genome using bioinformatics analysis. Phylogenetic relationships classified these genes into five distinct subfamilies, and all encoded proteins contained the conserved GYGD/GYGE motif typical of Shaker channels. Protein interaction network predictions revealed potential interactions among the Shaker family, as well as with the potassium transporter HAK5. Tissue-specific expression pattern analysis showed that <i>MeGORK</i> and <i>MeAKT1.2</i> were expressed in all tissues. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis was conducted to examine the transcriptional levels of <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> channel gene family members in the roots and leaves of two cassava germplasms with different low-potassium tolerance after one month of low-potassium treatment. The results revealed that <i>MeAKT1.2</i>, <i>MeAKT2.2</i>, and <i>MeKAT1</i> exhibited distinct expression patterns between the two germplasms, with higher expression levels observed in the potassium-tolerant germplasm. Therefore, these three genes may serve as important candidate genes for potassium stress tolerance in cassava. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the characteristics and biological functions of the <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> channel gene family in cassava and identifies potential candidate genes for breeding or engineering potassium-efficient cassava cultivars.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2213<i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> channel genecassavapotassium stressexpression patternspotassium utilization
spellingShingle Xianhai Xie
Chenyu Lin
Feilong Yu
Haozheng Li
Jin Xiao
Mingjuan Zheng
Wenquan Wang
Xin Guo
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> Channel Gene Family in Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) Under Potassium Stress
Plants
<i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> channel gene
cassava
potassium stress
expression patterns
potassium utilization
title Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> Channel Gene Family in Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) Under Potassium Stress
title_full Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> Channel Gene Family in Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) Under Potassium Stress
title_fullStr Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> Channel Gene Family in Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) Under Potassium Stress
title_full_unstemmed Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> Channel Gene Family in Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) Under Potassium Stress
title_short Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> Channel Gene Family in Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) Under Potassium Stress
title_sort genome wide identification and expression analysis of the i shaker i k sup sup channel gene family in cassava i manihot esculenta i crantz under potassium stress
topic <i>Shaker</i> K<sup>+</sup> channel gene
cassava
potassium stress
expression patterns
potassium utilization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2213
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