Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Analyses of P-Type ATPase Superfamily Genes in Soybean

Abstract

P-type ATPases are transmembrane pumps of cations and phospholipids. They are energized by hydrolysis of ATP and play important roles in a wide range of fundamental cellular and physiological processes during plant growth and development. However, the P-type ATPase superfamily genes have not been characterized in soybean. Here, we performed genome-wide bioinformatic and expression analyses of the P-type ATPase superfamily genes in order to explore the potential functions of P-type ATPases in soybean. A total of 105 putative P-type ATPase genes were identified in the soybean genome. Phylogenetic relationship analysis of the P-type ATPase genes indicated that they can be divided into five subfamilies including P1B, P2A/B, P3A, P4 and P5. Proteins belonging to the same subfamily shared conserved domains. Forty-seven gene pairs were related to segmental duplication, which contributed to the expansion of the P-type ATPase genes during the evolution of soybean. Most of the P-type ATPase genes contained hormonal- and/or stress-related cis-elements in their promoter regions. Expression analysis by retrieving RNA-sequencing datasets suggested that almost all of the P-type ATPase genes could be detected in soybean tissues, and some genes showed tissue-specific expression patterns. Nearly half of the P-type ATPase genes were found to be significantly induced or repressed under stresses like salt, drought, cold, flooding, and/or phosphate starvation. Four genes were significantly affected by rhizobia inoculation in root hairs. The induction of two P2B-ATPase genes, GmACA1 and GmACA2, by phosphate starvation was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. This study provides information for understanding the evolution and biological functions of the P-type ATPase superfamily genes in soybean.