Genome wide identification and characterization of MAPK genes reveals their potential in enhancing drought and salt stress tolerance in Gossypium hirsutum

Background:The cotton crop is universally considered as protein and edible oil source besides the major contributor of natural fiber and is grown in tropical and subtropical regions around the world Unpredicted environmental stresses are becoming significant threats to sustainable cotton production,ultimately leading to a substantial irreversible economic loss.Mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)is generally considered essential for recognizing environmental stresses through phosphorylating downstream signal pathways and plays a vital role in numerous biological processes.Results:We have identified 74 MAPK genes across cotton,41 from G.hirsutum,19 from G.raimondii,whereas 14 have been identified from G.arboreum.The MAPK gene-proteins have been further studied to determine their physicochemical characteristics and other essential features.In this perspective,characterization,phylogenetic relationship,chromosomal mapping,gene motif,cis-regulatory element,and subcellular localization were carried out.Based on phylogenetic analysis,the MAPK family in cotton is usually categorized as A,B,C,D,and E clade.According to the results of the phylogenic relationship,cotton has more MAPKS genes in Clade A than Clade B.The cis-elements identified were classified into five groups(hormone responsiveness,light responsiveness,stress responsiveness,cellular development,and binding site).The prevalence of such elements across the promoter region of these genes signifies their role in the growth and development of plants.Seven GHMAPK genes(GH_A07G1527,GH_D02G1138,GH_D03G0121,GH_D03G1517,GH_D05G1003,GH_D11G0040,and GH_D12G2528)were selected,and specific tissue expression and profiling were performed across drought and salt stresses.Results expressed that six genes were upregulated under drought treatment except for GH_D11G0040 which is downregulated.Whereas all the seven genes have been upregulated at various hours of salt stress treatment.Conclusions:RNA sequence and qPCR results showed that genes as differentially expressed across both vegetative and reproductive plant parts.Similarly,the qPCR analysis showed that six genes had been upregulated substantially through drought treatment while all the seven genes were upregulated across salt treatments.The results of this study showed that cotton GHMPK3 genes play an important role in improving cotton resistance to drought and salt stresses.MAPKs are thought to play a significant regulatory function in plants’responses to abiotic stresses according to various studies.MAPKs’involvement in abiotic stress signaling and innovation is a key goal for crop species research,especially in crop breeding.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathways play an important role in right ventricular hypertrophy of tetralogy of Fallot

Background Tetralogy of Fallot （TOF） is the most common malformation of children with an incidence of approximately 10% of congenital heart disease patients. There can be a wide spectrum to the severity of the anatomic defects, which include ventricular septal defect, aortic override, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and right ventricular hypertrophy. We examined the relationship between right ventricular hypertrophy in patients with TOF and the gene expression of factors in the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signal pathway. Methods To gain insight into the characteristic gene（s） involved in molecular mechanisms of right ventricular hypertrophy in TOF, differential mRNA and micro RNA expression profiles were assessed using expression-based micro array technology on right ventricular biopsies from young TOF patients who underwent primary correction and on normal heart tissue. We then analyzed the gene expression of the MAPK signal pathway using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） in normals and TOF patients. Results Using the micro RNA chip V3.0 and human whole genome oligonucleotide microarray VI.0 to detect the gene expression, we found 1068 genes showing altered expression of at least two-fold in TOF patients compared to the normal hearts, and 47 micro RNAs that showed a significant difference of at least two-fold in TOF patients. We then analyzed these mRNAs and micro RNAs by target gene predicting software Microcosm Targets version 5.0, and determined those mRNA highly relevant to the right ventricular hypertrophy by RT-PCR method. There were obvious differences in the gene expression of factors in the MAPK signal pathway when using RT-PCR, which was consistent to the results of the cDNA microarray.Conclusion The upregulation of genes in the MAPK signal pathway may be the key events that contribute to right ventricular hypertrophy and stunted angiogenesis in patients with TOF.