Genome-Wide Prediction and Expression Characterization of the GATA Gene Family under Nitrogen and Phosphate Deficiency in Panax ginseng

Abstract

GATA transcription factors are widespread in plants, exerting crucial functions in multiple processes such as flower development, photoperiod regulation, and light signal transduction. The GATA gene family has a key role in the regulation of medicinal plant adaptation to environmental stress. However, since the publication of the Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) genome-wide data, there has never been an analysis of the whole GATA gene family. To understand the function of the GATA gene family more broadly, the GATA gene family members in P. ginseng were predicted using an in silico bioinformatics approach. A comprehensive and systematic analysis encompassing chromosome scaffold, expression pattern, gene structure, and phylogeny was conducted. The results showed that a total of 52 GATA gene family members were recognized in P. ginseng, distributed across 51 scaffolds. Each member encoded a diverse number of amino acid residues, extending from 138 to 1064. Moreover, the expression levels of PgGATA genes were significantly altered by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stresses. The expression levels of PgGATA6, PgGATA11, PgGATA27, PgGATA32, PgGATA37, PgGATA39, PgGATA40, and PgGATA50 exhibited significant elevation under N deficiency, whereas PgGATA15, PgGATA18, PgGATA34, PgGATA38, PgGATA41, and PgGATA44 genes showed substantial upregulation under P deficiency. In addition, PgGATA3, PgGATA4, PgGATA14, PgGATA19, and PgGATA28 were substantially upregulated under both N and P deficiency. This research establishes a theoretical foundation for the thorough examination of the functions of the PgGATA gene family and its regulation by N and P fertilization during P. ginseng cultivation.