Comprehensive analysis of plant rapid alkalization factor (RALF) genes

Arti Sharma, Adil Hussain, Bong Gyu Mun, Qari Muhammad Imran, Noreen Falak, Sang Uk Lee, Jae Young Kim, Jeum Kyu Hong, Gary John Loake, Asad Ali, Byung Wook Yun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Receptor mediated signal carriers play a critical role in the regulation of plant defense and development. Rapid alkalization factor (RALF) proteins potentially comprise important signaling components which may have a key role in plant biology. The RALF gene family contains large number of genes in several plant species, however, only a few RALF genes have been characterized to date. In this study, an extensive database search identified 39, 43, 34 and 18 RALF genes in Arabidopsis, rice, maize and soybean, respectively. These RALF genes were found to be highly conserved across the 4 plant species. A comprehensive analysis including the chromosomal location, gene structure, subcellular location, conserved motifs, protein structure, protein-ligand interaction and promoter analysis was performed. RALF genes from four plant species were divided into 7 groups based on phylogenetic analysis. In silico expression analysis of these genes, using microarray and EST data, revealed that these genes exhibit a variety of expression patterns. Furthermore, RALF genes showed distinct expression patterns of transcript accumulation in vivo following nitrosative and oxidative stresses in Arabidopsis. Predicted interaction between RALF and heme ligand also showed that RALF proteins may contribute towards transporting or scavenging oxygen moieties. This suggests a possible role for RALF genes during changes in cellular redox status. Collectively, our data provides a valuable resource to prime future research in the role of RALF genes in plant growth and development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)82-90
Number of pages9
JournalPlant Physiology and Biochemistry
Volume106
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2016

Keywords

  • Arabidopsis
  • Maize
  • Rapid alkalization factor
  • Rice
  • Soybean

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Comprehensive analysis of plant rapid alkalization factor (RALF) genes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this