Identification and Analysis of DREB Gene(s) in Solanum tuberosum L.

Abstract

Solanum tuberosum generally known as potato is a globally important food crop with high nutritional value. It belongs to Solanaceae family of plants also known as nightshades. It is a drought sensitive crop in comparison to many other plants and in extreme cases drought can contribute to adverse outcomes by negatively influencing survival, biomass production and crop yield. To withstand drought stress plants has evolved several defense strategies that involve morphological as well as genetic changes. For thorough understanding of plant reactions to these stresses, understanding of genetic basis of plant defensive mechanisms against theses stresses is vital. Many transcription factors which control the regulation of numerous genes related with drought has been investigated. The DREB genes are vital genes that are expressed under drought conditions in different plants. This family of transcriptions factors includes distinctive as well as vital proteins that participate in abiotic limitation reactions and resistance in plants. In our recent study we aim to identify and analyze the (DREB) Dehydration Responsive Element Binding genes from Potato. For this purpose many DREB genes were identified in Solanaceae as well as other plant species with help of literature review. From those identified genes DREB3 from model plant Nicotiana tobaccum and DREB2 from Glycine max are amplified in 7 potato varieties (Desiree, Asterix, Sante, Hermes, 2005-1, Roko, Lady Rosetta) for the purpose of identification of DREB genes in potato. Protein modeling of amplified gene sequences was done by using ITASSER software. Later Phylogenetic tree was generated using MegaX software for the purpose of finding evolutionary relationship between DREB gene sequences which were retrieved by in silico analysis. This study will offer foundation for future investigation of these genes in Potato as well as other plants. After identification of DREB genes in potato further studies can be performed to increase drought tolerance of potato as well as other related plants by genetically engineering DREB genes.