Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of YTH gene family in barley reveals their potential role under abiotic stresses.

Abstract

N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is a prevalent modification of eukaryotic mRNAs that plays a crucial role in gene regulation and genome integrity. YT521-B homology (YTH) domain-containing RNA-binding proteins act as essential m6A readers, influencing the fate of m⁶A-modified RNAs through their involvement in RNA splicing, processing, stability, and translation. In plants, YTH genes regulate plant growth and development by modulating these post-transcriptional processes. Despite the significance of barley (Hordeum vulgare L) as a staple crop, the YTH genes in this species remain largely unexplored. We conducted a detailed analysis of the barley genome and identified 14 YTH genes. Phylogenetic classification categorized these genes into 5 distinct groups. These genes are distributed across seven chromosomes, and their predicted protein products are primarily localized within the nucleus. We observed conserved exon structures and domains among the various groups of HvYTHs. Analysis of the promoter region identified several regulatory elements associated with developmental processes, stress responses, and hormone regulation. Protein-protein interaction predictions suggested associations with m⁶A methyltransferase components and stress-responsive factors. Additionally, miRNA target analysis identified potential post-transcriptional regulators of HvYTH genes. Expression profiling using RNA-seq data revealed both tissue-specific and stress-responsive patterns. Several HvYTH genes showing differential expression under cold, heat, and heavy metal stress. qRT-PCR validation confirmed the upregulation of HvYTH8 across all stress conditions, while HvYTH5, HvYTH10, and HvYTH12 members exhibited stress-specific upregulation or downregulation. These results underscore the functional divergence of HvYTH genes in mediating abiotic stress tolerance, providing potential targets for improving barley resilience.