Wenqi Shang

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production faces significant challenges from environmental stresses, necessitating the identification of functional genes to enhance crop resilience. The DUF679 membrane protein (DMP) family has been recently recognized for its diverse associations with plant development and stress adaptation, although much of the current research has focused on its involvement in doubled haploid (DH) technology in species such as maize and Arabidopsis. This study performed a comprehensive genome-wide analysis to characterize the 19-member OsDMP family in rice, integrating bioinformatics methods to analyze their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, and chromosomal distribution, complemented by qRT-PCR to validate expression patterns under abiotic stress and transient expression assays to verify subcellular localization of one representative member (OsDMP16). Our analysis classified OsDMP genes into four of five subfamilies, revealing significant functional diversification and closer evolutionary ties with other monocots. Furthermore, promoter analysis revealed abundant stress- and hormone-responsive cis-acting elements, correlating with diverse tissue-specific expression and significant responses to drought, salt, and hormonal stimuli. These findings provide a robust framework for understanding OsDMP evolution and expression regulation, revealing transcriptional responsiveness to abiotic stress and providing candidate genes for future functional validation and application in breeding programs.

The Cupin superfamily, characterized by a conserved β-barrel structure, plays crucial roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, comprehensive analyses of this gene family in rice remains limited. Here, we performed a genome-wide identification, molecular evolution, and expression analysis of Cupin genes in rice under abiotic stress. Utilizing the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome of rice, 54 Cupin genes (OsCupins) were identified and classified into four subfamilies (GLP, PIRIN, TRR14, and ARD) based on phylogenetic relationships with Arabidopsis homologs. These genes were unevenly distributed across ten chromosomes, with tandem and segmental duplications driving their expansion. Structural and synteny analyses revealed conserved motifs and orthologous relationships with sorghum and Arabidopsis. The promoter regions of OsCupins were enriched in stress-responsive cis-elements, including ABRE, MYB, and MYC motifs. qRT-PCR data demonstrated the significant upregulation of multiple OsCupins (e.g., OsGLP15, OsGLP38, and OsGLP43) under NaCl and PEG 6000 treatments. Functional validation in yeast showed that the overexpression of OsGLP15, OsGLP38, or OsGLP43 enhanced salt and drought tolerance in yeast, with OsGLP43 exhibiting the strongest stress resilience. Our findings provide insights into the evolutionary dynamics and stress-responsive regulatory mechanisms of the Cupin superfamily in rice, offering potential targets for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in this critical crop.

The PLATZ gene family, known for its pivotal roles in regulating plant growth, development, and stress responses, is of great significance in rice biology and crop improvement efforts. In this study, we undertook a comprehensive identification and analysis of the PLATZ gene family across 10 Oryza genus species, including both cultivated and wild rice varieties. A total of 144 PLATZ genes were identified, demonstrating their widespread distribution. Phylogenetic analysis revealed six distinct groups among these genes, with high sequence similarity among members indicating a common evolutionary origin and potential functional conservation. Further analysis of conserved motifs, domains, and promoter regions provided insights into the transcriptional regulation and potential functions of PLATZ genes. Notably, expression profiling showed differential expression patterns of specific PLATZ genes, such as OsPLATZ7, OsPLATZ9, and OsPLATZ11, under various abiotic stress conditions and hormone treatments, highlighting their important roles in stress adaptation and hormone signaling. Additionally, the consistently high expression of OsPLATZ9 across multiple tissues suggests its involvement in multiple developmental processes. Overall, this study provides a detailed characterization of the PLATZ gene family in rice, laying the foundation for future functional studies and potential applications in agricultural biotechnology.