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Genome-wide identification and characterization of Alternative oxidase (AOX) genes in leguminous crops and their expression patterns in response to abiotic stresses in common bean

YAN Zhi-Lan1,ZHAO Qin1,CHANG Tian-Da1,WANG Yi-Ming1,WANG Bi-Hui1,WANG Peng1,HUANG Chun-Guo1,ZHANG Hui2,WANG Li-Xiang1,HAO Xiao-Peng3,*,ZHAO Bo1,*   

  1. 1 College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University / Shanxi Houji Laboratory, Taiyuan 030031, Shanxi, China; 2 College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, China; 3 Agricultural Gene Resources Research Center, Shanxi Agricultural University / Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Exploration and Genetic Improvement of Coarse Cereals, Taiyuan 030031, Shanxi, China
  • Received:2024-10-06 Revised:2025-04-27 Accepted:2025-04-27 Published:2025-05-13
  • Supported by:
    This study was supported by National Key R&D Program of China (2023YFD1202700, 2023YFD1202703), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32301778), the Shanxi Province’s Reward Fund for Doctoral Graduates and Postdoctoral Researchers to Work in Shanxi Province (SXBYKY2023004), the Shanxi Provincial Basic Research Program-Free Exploration Category (202403021211051, 202203021222147), the Shanxi Houji Laboratory Self-initiated Research Projects (202304010930003-03), and the Special Fund for Science and Technology Innovation Teams of Shanxi Province (202204051002013).

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Abstract:

Alternative oxidase (AOX), a key terminal oxidase in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, plays a pivotal role in plant response to various abiotic stresses. Leguminous crops are not only important sources of plant-based protein but also contribute significantly to sustainable agricultural development. However, their yield and quality have been increasingly compromised by frequent extreme climatic events, highlighting the urgent need to enhance their stress tolerance. In this study, we systematically identified and analyzed the AOX gene family in four leguminous crops: soybean, common bean, tepary bean, and mung bean. Our analysis included assessments of protein structure, physicochemical properties, promoter cis-acting elements, and the expression patterns of AOX genes in common bean under different abiotic stress treatments. We identified four, three, three, and three AOX genes in soybean, common bean, tepary bean, and mung bean, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis grouped these genes into three distinct subfamilies. Cis-element analysis of promoter regions revealed an abundance of hormone-responsive and stress-responsive element. Expression profiling in common bean demonstrated that AOX genes exhibit differential responses to various abiotic stresses, with distinct temporal expression patterns. Notably, PvAOX1A;2 was strongly upregulated under multiple stress conditions. PvAOX2;2_2 showed high induction under salt and heat stress, while PvAOX2;2_1 was significantly upregulated in response to cold stress. Collectively, these results suggest that AOX genes play important roles in the abiotic stress responses in common bean. This study provides valuable insights into the functional characteristics of AOX genes in leguminous crops and identifies potential candidate genes for the molecular improvement of stress tolerance in common bean.

Key words: common bean, AOX, leguminous crops, abiotic stress, expression pattern

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