Genome-wide identification and abiotic stress response patterns of abscisic acid stress ripening protein family members in Triticum aestivum L.

ASR (ABA-stress-ripening) genes play important roles in regulating plant growth and stress responses. This study identified 29 ASR genes in wheat. 23 pairs of tandem duplication genes and six pairs of segmental duplication genes were found in wheat ASR (TaASR) gene family, respectively. It is speculated that gene duplication event is the main driving force of TaASR genes evolution. Using published RNA-seq data and the qRT-PCR results of 12 TaASR genes, we analyzed the expression profiles for TaASR genes under abiotic stresses. It found that most of the genes mainly responded to salt and low temperature stress. Finally, subcellular localization and self-activation experiments showed that the proteins encoded by 12 TaASR genes were all located in the nucleus and cell membrane, and the full-length proteins had self-activation activity, which supported their role as transcription factors. This study provides a scientific basis for a comprehensive understanding of the TaASR gene family.