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Identification and Sequencing of Defensin Genes in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): Bioinformatics Analysis and Expression Changes in Response to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses
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Zeinab Saffar  , Seyyed Mohsen Sohrabi *  , Mohammad Motamedi , Anahita Panji |
| Department of Production Engineering and Plant Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran , sm.sohrabi@scu.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (188 Views) |
Defensins, as antimicrobial peptides, play a crucial role in the plant defense system. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), due to its agricultural importance and relative resistance to adverse conditions, is a suitable candidate for identifying and analyzing defensin genes to enhance tolerance to various stresses. In this study, members of the barley defensin gene family were identified using bioinformatics approaches. Protein sequences were retrieved from databases using the tBLASTn tool, and their physicochemical properties, protein structural features, cis-elements, transcription factors, antimicrobial activity, and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed. Additionally, in silico expression analysis was performed to evaluate gene expression under different biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Finally, genomic DNA was extracted from in vitro-grown barley seedlings, and the identified genes were sequenced.The results led to the identification of 13 defensin genes in barley. Analysis revealed that these genes possess four conserved disulfide bonds, signal peptides for extracellular secretion, and post-translational phosphorylation sites, playing key roles in plant-pathogen interactions. Gene expression analysis indicated that these genes exhibit upregulation or downregulation in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Physicochemical property analysis showed that Def6 and Def10 have the highest structural stability. Expression analysis further revealed that Def2, Def5, and Def10 are highly induced under abiotic stress conditions, while Def6 and Def10 show the highest induction under biotic stress conditions. This study highlights the multifunctional role of defensins in enhancing barley resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The findings provide a foundation for future research aimed at improving crop resistance and developing breeding and genetic engineering strategies to enhance tolerance to environmental stresses and pathogens. |
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| Keywords: Plant innate immunity, Antimicrobial peptides, Regulatory gene analysis, Sequencing, Stress-responsive genes |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Molecular genetics
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