Genomic Identification of HKT, AKT and KEA Gene Families Involved in Potassium Transport

Agricultural / Plant Sciences | Research article | https://doi.org/10.47262/SL/10.1.132022040

Hira Tahir 1, Basit Ali Nasir 2, Humaira Saleem 2, Sadia Saleem 2, Noor Fatima 2, Aleena Khaleel 2, Adeela Shaukat 3*

1 Department of Botany, GC Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

2 Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

3 Department of Biotechnology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Potassium is considered a key nutrient for plants and plays a vital role in the growth of plants by affecting various metabolic processes. Further, potassium can be used as a supplement and helps to protect plants from numerous diseases. Various genes have been reported for their involvement in the potassium transportation of plants. However, potassium transportation mechanisms are still unclear. Plants have an organized and complex potassium distribution system (channels and transporters). These channels and transporters are responsible for the uptake of K+ from the soil and its distribution among different parts of the plant. In the present studies, the potassium transportation system of wheat (Triticum aestivum) was identified along with the characterization of 25 genes (11 K+ channels and 14 K+ transporters). Protein structure predictions were performed, and 3D structures of the identified genes were reported, including their domains and motifs. Gene structural analyses showed that the introns and exons have similarities with the known sequences of rice and Arabidopsis thaliana. The identifications and characterization of potassium transportation genes may help to introduce new varieties of wheat with higher content of potassium.