Genome-wide identification, classification, evolutionary analysis and gene expression patterns of the protein kinase gene family in wheat and Aegilops tauschii

Key message In this study we systematically identified and classified PKs in Triticum aestivum, Triticum urartu and Aegilops tauschii. Domain distribution and exon–intron structure analyses of PKs were performed, and we found conserved exon–intron structures within the exon phases in the kinase domain. Collinearity events were determined, and we identified various T. aestivum PKs from polyploidizations and tandem duplication events. Global expression pattern analysis of T. aestivum PKs revealed that some PKs might participate in the signaling pathways of stress response and developmental processes. QRT-PCR of 15 selected PKs were performed under drought treatment and with infection of Fusarium graminearum to validate the prediction of microarray.