Bioinformatic Analysis of Two FERONIA Genes in Wheat and Their Expression in Response to Stripe Rust Infection

Purpose To identify the conserved domains, homologous genes and family members of two candidate FERONIA genes related to stripe rust resistance, and to analyze their expression patterns in response to stripe rust infection, providing the foundation for the study of their anti-stripe rust function.

Methods Using NCBI, the wheat gene expression database, and the bioinformatics analysis software, the gene structure, conserved domains, phylogenetic evolution, and identification of gene family members were analysed. The expression pattern of the genes in response to the stripe rust infection was also analysed by transcriptome.

Results The proteins encoded by the identified candidate FERONIA genes TraesCS3A02G504700 (gene number: XM_044487345.1) and TraesCS5A02G330500 (gene number: XM_044526490.1) both possessed Malectin-like domain and kinase domains, and the promoter regions of these genes contained various elements related to light response and hormone response. Systematic evolutionary analysis showed that TraesCS3A02G504700 was most closely related to wheat XBI68789.1 and barley XP_044978535.1; TraesCS5A02G330500 was most closely related to wheat XP_044389917.1 and barley KAI4989347.1. Gene family screening and identification showed that 125 members of the FERONIA gene family were identified in wheat, among which 20 genes responded to biotic stress, and TraesCS5A02G330500 responded to multiple pathogen infections. Expression analysis indicated that both of the two FERONIA genes were differentially expressed during wheat inoculation with rust fungus. Among them, TraesCS3A02G504700 was down-regulated during 0-24 h of infection and had the same expression trend in compatible and incompatible interactions; the expression of TraesCS5A02G330500 varied between compatible and incompatible interactions during 0-24 h of infection: it was inhibited in incompatible interactions, while its expression was up-regulated in compatible interactions.

Conclusion TraesCS3A02G504700 and TraesCS5A02G330500 exhibit differential expression during wheat inoculation with stripe rust fungus. TraesCS5A02G330500 shows differential expression in resistant and susceptible materials and responds to infection by multiple pathogens, its function and mechanism in regulating disease resistance merit further investigation.