Data Sheet 4_Elucidating the role of pyrabactin-like receptors of finger millet under drought and salinity stress: an insight into in silico, machine learning and molecular approaches.pdf

IntroductionThe Pyrabactin Resistance 1-like (PYL) receptors, a family of proteins in plants, play a vital role in abscisic acid (ABA) signalling, assisting plants in managing abiotic stresses. Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) is a naturally drought tolerant crop, yet the receptor proteins involved in its stress signalling pathways remain poorly understood.
MethodThis study employed bioinformatics, machine learning, and molecular approaches to identify, characterize, and profile the expression of PYL receptors in response to drought and salinity stress.
ResultsThe study identified 14 PYL genes in the finger millet genome, irregularly distributed across four of the nine mapped chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis grouped these genes into three subfamilies. Machine learning analysis highlighted five putative PYL genes—EcPYL4-2A, EcPYL7-2B, EcPYL11-5A, EcPYL12-5A, and EcPYL14-5B with expression levels exceeding 70% under drought and salinity stress. These genes were further validated through qRT-PCR, confirming their expression under stress conditions, though expression levels varied across tissues and genes.
Discussion The identification of PYL genes responsive to drought and salt stress provides valuable insights into the stress-signalling mechanisms of finger millet. Among the identified genes, EcPYL7-2B and EcPYL12-5A emerged as promising candidates for further characterization through genome editing and molecular approaches. This study highlights the potential of these genes in enhancing the stress resilience of finger millet, contributing to its role in improving food and nutritional security under challenging environmental conditions.

引言 吡苯噻酰胺抗性1类似（Pyrabactin Resistance 1-like, PYL）受体是植物体内的一类蛋白质家族，在脱落酸（abscisic acid, ABA）信号通路中发挥关键作用，协助植物应对非生物胁迫。龙爪稷（Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn）是一种天然耐旱作物，但其胁迫信号通路中涉及的受体蛋白仍有待深入研究。
方法 本研究采用生物信息学、机器学习与分子生物学方法，对龙爪稷中响应干旱与盐胁迫的PYL受体的表达情况进行鉴定、特征分析与表达谱解析。
结果 本研究在龙爪稷基因组中鉴定出14个PYL基因，这些基因不规则地分布于已定位的9条染色体中的4条上。系统发育分析将这些基因划分为3个亚家族。机器学习分析筛选出5个推定的PYL基因：EcPYL4-2A、EcPYL7-2B、EcPYL11-5A、EcPYL12-5A和EcPYL14-5B，它们在干旱与盐胁迫下的表达量均超过70%。通过实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）对这些基因进行了进一步验证，确认其在胁迫条件下的表达特性，不过不同组织与基因间的表达水平存在差异。
讨论 本研究鉴定出响应干旱与盐胁迫的PYL基因，为解析龙爪稷的胁迫信号通路机制提供了重要参考。在已鉴定的基因中，EcPYL7-2B与EcPYL12-5A可作为通过基因组编辑与分子生物学方法开展后续特征研究的候选基因。本研究凸显了这些基因在提升龙爪稷胁迫抗性方面的应用潜力，有助于在恶劣环境条件下保障粮食与营养安全。