Genome-Wide Identification of the Maize Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase Gene Family

Abstract

In higher plants, calcium is a ubiquitous second messenger in eukaryotic signal transduction cascades. The plant-specific calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) play important roles regulating downstream components of calcium signaling. We conducted a genome-wide analysis of maize (Zea mays) CDPKs and identified 35 CDPK genes. Maize CDPKs were found to be similar to their counterparts in rice in gene structure, GC content and subgroup classification. Divergence time estimation suggested that maize-rice orthologs were largely consistent with the time when these two species diverged from the last common ancestor. Semiquantitative RT-PCR revealed that the 29 of total 35 maize CDPK genes were expressed in all tissues, including root, stem, leaf, tassel, ear, and kernel. Our genomic and bioinformatics analyses will provide an important foundation for further functional dissection of the maize CDPK gene family.

Genome-wide analysis and expression profiling of calcium-dependent protein kinases in potato (Solanum tuberosum)

“…Moreover, PiCDPK1 from petunia (Petunia inflata), similar to AtCPK17/AtCPK34, has also been implicated in pollen tube growth polarity . One of the maize CDPK genes (designated by us as ZmCPK7 according to the nomenclature by Ma et al 2013), also similar to AtCPK17/AtCPK34, is expressed specifically during late stages of pollen development. Specific inhibition of the ZmCPK7 expression by antisense oligonucleotide resulted in impaired germination and growth of pollen tube (Estruch et al 1994).…”

“…Plant genomes carry large numbers of CDPK genes; 34 in Arabidopsis thaliana (Cheng et al 2002;Hrabak et al 2003), 41 in diploid cotton (Gossypium raimondii) (Liu et al 2014), 29 or 31 in rice (Oryza sativa) (Asano et al 2005;Ray et al 2007, respectively), 20 in wheat (Triticum aestivum) (Li et al 2008), 35 or 40 in maize (Zea mays) (Ma et al 2013;Kong et al 2013, respectively), 29 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Hu et al 2016), and 30 CDPK genes in poplar (Populus trichocarpa) (Zuo et al 2013). Slightly less numerous are CDPK gene families in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and grape (Vitis vinifera) with 19 members in both plants Zhang et al 2015).…”

Genome-Wide Survey and Expression Analysis of Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase in Gossypium raimondii

“…In wheat, 20 CDPK genes including 14 full-length cDNA sequences were comprehensively studied [29]. And in poplar, 30 CDPK genes were identified [30], and 35 CDPK genes were initially revealed in maize genome [31]. Other higher plants such as tomato [32], potato [33], [34], tobacco [35], [36] and grapevine [37] also have multiple CDPK genes characterized in recent years.…”

Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases: Hubs in Plant Stress Signaling and Development

“…Moreover, the resolution of kinase-specific phosphorylation patterns within a target protein provides mechanistic evidence suggesting that CDPKs act as signaling hubs in plant stress signaling and development. The CDPK gene family comprises Ser/Thr protein kinases organized in four subgroups (Harmon et al, 2000;Cheng et al, 2002); families of varying size have been characterized in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana; 34), rice (Oryza sativa; 29), wheat (Triticum aestivum; 20), maize (Zea mays; 35), and poplar (Populus trichocarpa; 20; Harmon et al, 2000;Asano et al, 2005;Li et al, 2008;Ma et al, 2013;Zuo et al, 2013). CDPKs have a conserved molecular structure, consisting of a variable N-terminal domain, fused to a Ser/Thr kinase domain, and a CDPK activation domain (CAD).…”