Genome-Wide Analysis of the Shi-Related Sequence Family and Functional Identification of GmSRS18 Involving in Drought and Salt Stresses in Soybean

Abstract

The plant-special SHI-RELATED SEQUENCE (SRS) family plays vital roles in various biological processes. However, the genome-wide analysis and abiotic stress-related functions of this family were less reported in soybean. In this work, 21 members of soybean SRS family were identified, which were divided into three groups (Group I, II, and III). The chromosome location and gene structure were analyzed, which indicated that the members in the same group may have similar functions. The analysis of stress-related cis-elements showed that the SRS family may be involved in abiotic stress signaling pathway. The analysis of expression patterns in various tissues demonstrated that SRS family may play crucial roles in special tissue-dependent regulatory networks. The data based on soybean RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) proved that SRS genes were induced by drought, NaCl, and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA). GmSRS18 significantly induced by drought and NaCl was selected for further functional verification. GmSRS18, encoding a cell nuclear protein, could negatively regulate drought and salt resistance in transgenic Arabidopsis. It can affect stress-related physiological index, including chlorophyll, proline, and relative electrolyte leakage. Additionally, it inhibited the expression levels of stress-related marker genes. Taken together, these results provide valuable information for understanding the classification of soybean SRS transcription factors and indicates that SRS plays important roles in abiotic stress responses.

Genome-wide characterization of the SHORT INTER-NODES/STYLISH and Shi-Related Sequence family in Gossypium hirsutum and functional identification of GhSRS21 under salt stress

“…But lacking part of the RING domain in GhSRS3 may leading to a decrease in the binding ability to DNA, RNA, protein, and lipid substrates ( Figure 1B ). Moreover, GhSRSs also share a IXGH domain except GhSRS13/26, and this conserved region longer than IXGH domain in GmSRSs ( Figure 1C ) ( Zhao et al., 2020 ).…”

“…SHI / STY and SRS family members, a plant-specific transcription factors, are defined by the presence of a conserved RING-like zinc-finger domain (CX 2 CX 7 CX 4 CX 2 C 2 X 6 C), the vast majority of which also contain the IXGH domain ( Kuusk et al., 2006 ; Zhao et al., 2020 ). The RING finger domain is believed to confer E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and mediate the ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation of target protein or confer the DNA and RNA binding activity ( Fridborg et al., 2001 ; Zhao et al., 2020 ). The IXGH domain is rich in acidic amino acid residues, which are considered as transcriptional activators ( Singh et al., 2020 ).…”

“…It has been shown that SRS transcription factors are involved in gibberellin (GA) and auxin signaling pathways ( Fridborg et al., 1999 ; Fridborg et al., 2001 ; Singh et al., 2020 ; Yuan et al., 2020 ) and diverse growth and development processes in plant such as lateral root development and floral organ morphogenesis ( Kuusk et al., 2002 ; Sohlberg et al., 2006 ; Staldal et al., 2012 ; Singh et al., 2020 ; Yuan et al., 2020 ). In Arabidopsis , there are 9 described members in the SHI/STY and SRS family ( Eklund et al., 2011 ; Zhao et al., 2020 ). The first SHORT INTERNODES/STYLISH ( SHI / STY ) and SRS family gene to be identified was AtSHI and its transposon insertion mutants displayed a dwarf phenotype similar to the mutants defective in the biosynthesis of gibberellin ( Fridborg et al., 1999 ).…”

Molecular evolutionary analysis of the SHI/STY gene family in land plants: A focus on the Brassica species

“…These two motifs code the highly conserved IGGH domain and RING-like zinc finger domain, respectively. Its ability to bind to RNA, protein, and lipid substrates demonstrates that it functions as a transcriptional activator ( Fridborg et al, 2001 ; Kuusk et al, 2006 ; Zhao et al, 2020 ). Amino acids in these two motifs are involved in maintaining the structure and functions of the motifs.…”

“…Furthermore, the IGGH domain of the SHI/STY proteins contains acidic amino acids and can act as a transcriptional activator (Fridborg et al, 2001;Singh et al, 2020). SHI/STY genes not only regulate the growth and development of plants, but also respond to hormones and some abiotic stresses (Zhao et al, 2020). Several studies have shown that SHI/STY genes are associated with auxin signaling pathways in terrestrial plants and play important functions in the regulation of plants tissues and other hormonal pathways (Eklund et al, 2010;Zawaski et al, 2011;Islam et al, 2013;Youssef et al, 2017).…”