Scholarlink

Background <p>Cystatins are cysteine protease inhibitor in plant and animal that not only regulates the intracellular transport of endogenous proteins in plants but also plays an important role in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the cystatin gene family in alfalfa remains poorly characterized.</p> Result <p>In this study, 55 cystatin genes distributed across 18 chromosomes in alfalfa were identified. GO enrichment analysis indicated that the 55 <i>MsCYS</i> genes were primarily associated with cysteine-type endopeptidase inhibitor activity. These genes were classified into six distinct subgroups, with each containing one or two typical cystatin domains. Analysis of <i>cis</i>-acting regulatory elements suggested the potential involvement of <i>MsCYS</i> genes in stress responses. Transcriptome analysis revealed that nearly half of the <i>MsCYS</i> genes were not expressed across the examined tissues and stress conditions and those that are expressed showed higher expression levels in stems and leaves than in roots. Expression levels of <i>MsCYS</i> genes were higher in stems and leaves than in roots. Under stress caused by thrips, <i>MsCYS49</i> and <i>MsCYS54</i> were significantly up-regulated. Real-time RT-PCR&#xa0;results corroborated the transcriptome data. The expression of <i>MsCYS49</i> and <i>MsCYS54</i> increased markedly, reaching 5.5-fold and 8.3-fold that of the control levels. After 14 days of thrips infestation. The cysteine content in alfalfa leaves increased significantly, which was associated with the up-regulation of <i>MsCYS</i> genes. Additionally, exogenous application of jasmonic acid enhanced the expression of certain <i>MsCYS</i> genes, thereby conferring resistance to thrips in alfalfa. Exogenous salicylic acid also up-regulated the expression of certain <i>MsCYS</i> genes and modulated insect defense.</p> Conclusion <p>Our study identified 55 members of the cystatin gene family in alfalfa and analyzed their phylogenetic relationships, structural characteristics, and putative functions in resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. This work establishes a robust foundation for further functional characterization of each cystatin gene member, which provides novel insights for improving the stress tolerance of alfalfa.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Expression profile of cystatin gene family in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) related to biotic and abiotic stress response

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月3日

查看全文
  • Jierui Wu,
  • Qian Ai,
  • Rui Dai,
  • Chengmei Zhou,
  • Zhiqiang Zhang,
  • Lan Yun

摘要

Background

Cystatins are cysteine protease inhibitor in plant and animal that not only regulates the intracellular transport of endogenous proteins in plants but also plays an important role in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the cystatin gene family in alfalfa remains poorly characterized.

Result

In this study, 55 cystatin genes distributed across 18 chromosomes in alfalfa were identified. GO enrichment analysis indicated that the 55 MsCYS genes were primarily associated with cysteine-type endopeptidase inhibitor activity. These genes were classified into six distinct subgroups, with each containing one or two typical cystatin domains. Analysis of cis-acting regulatory elements suggested the potential involvement of MsCYS genes in stress responses. Transcriptome analysis revealed that nearly half of the MsCYS genes were not expressed across the examined tissues and stress conditions and those that are expressed showed higher expression levels in stems and leaves than in roots. Expression levels of MsCYS genes were higher in stems and leaves than in roots. Under stress caused by thrips, MsCYS49 and MsCYS54 were significantly up-regulated. Real-time RT-PCR results corroborated the transcriptome data. The expression of MsCYS49 and MsCYS54 increased markedly, reaching 5.5-fold and 8.3-fold that of the control levels. After 14 days of thrips infestation. The cysteine content in alfalfa leaves increased significantly, which was associated with the up-regulation of MsCYS genes. Additionally, exogenous application of jasmonic acid enhanced the expression of certain MsCYS genes, thereby conferring resistance to thrips in alfalfa. Exogenous salicylic acid also up-regulated the expression of certain MsCYS genes and modulated insect defense.

Conclusion

Our study identified 55 members of the cystatin gene family in alfalfa and analyzed their phylogenetic relationships, structural characteristics, and putative functions in resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. This work establishes a robust foundation for further functional characterization of each cystatin gene member, which provides novel insights for improving the stress tolerance of alfalfa.