Genome-wide analysis of pentatricopeptide repeat genes in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Pentatricopeptide repeat genes are ubiquitous in eukaryotes with mitochondria, especially in higher terrestrial plants. As RNA modification proteins, PPR are indispensable in plant growth and development. However, many PPR genes in model plants and food crops have been researched, but few studies about potato PPR genes have been reported. This research systematically performed a genome-wide analysis of the potato PPR members and verified the gene expression and the protein subcellular localization via molecular biology methods. As a result, there were 491 sequences defined as potato PPR members. In addition, we found the Restorer-of-fertility-likes clusters on chromosome 6, and we also analyzed the expression of four genes under abiotic stress and the subcellular localization of two proteins to attempt to explain the mechanism of PPR involved in abiotic stress. In general, our study gives an exhaustive analysis and hopefully provides help for growth, development and metabolism in potato research.