Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of GATA gene family in response to salt stress in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

GATA transcription factors (TFs) are characterized by the existence of a type IV zinc-fingered structure. This TF family plays a significant role in growth and development, and in response to abiotic and biotic stresses. The GATA gene family has been well characterized in various plant species but remains unexplored to date in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). This research aims to conduct a comprehensive genome-wide analysis, characterization, and expression profiling of the GATA gene family in sesame under salt stress, using systematic bioinformatics tools and ‘quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction’ (qRT-PCR). A total of 23 SiGATA genes were identified and categorized into five sub-groups via an extensive phylogenetic analysis. The CDS and intron numbers of SiGATA genes varied from 1 to 13 and 0 to 12, respectively. The length of SiGATA proteins varied from 119 aa to 822 aa. Gene duplication analysis predicted four duplication pairs in the SiGATA gene family. The expression of SiGATA genes was analyzed using both publicly available RNA-seq data (RPKM values) and qRT-PCR data obtained under salt stress in sesame. Five genes (SiGATA2, SiGATA3, SiGATA4, SiGATA6, and SiGATA12) were selected through RNA-seq-based expression to further validate expression pattern using qRT-PCR under salt stress, where all five selected SiGATA transcripts demonstrated strong upregulation at 12 h before their expression levels sharply decreased at 24 h. Among them, SiGATA6 exhibited the highest upregulation at 12 h. This research highlights the potential to develop climate-resilient sesame cultivars with enhanced productivity in saline areas.