Abstract:
As a staple crop, Triticum aestivum meets all dietary needs for human health while also
playing a crucial role in the food chain for the consumption of contaminants by both
humans and livestock. As a result, the presence of heavy metals in soil, such as
cadmium (Cd), not only decreases the productivity of wheat crops but also puts human
and animal health at risk. P-type ATPases are a wide family of membrane proteins that
transport ions across biological membranes. The P-type ATPase family is classified
into five major evolutionary related subfamilies, P1-P5, that form a phylogenetic tree
based on the ions they transport. The energy-producing ATP hydrolysis in these
proteins is linked to ion transport of one or two ion species across the relevant
membrane. P1B-type ATPase, also known as HMAs, is an essential P-type ATPase
family member involved in the absorption and pumping of metal ions into plant cells.
In the present study, the in-silico analysis revealed the detailed cellular and biological
functions of P-type ATPases, their chromosomal locations, as well as their sub-cellular
localizations. The in silico cis-regulatory element study revealed a wide range of
functions related to light, stress, and hormone responsiveness, as well as endosperm
and meristem-specific gene expression. Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) concentrations of
200 µM and 250 µM were added for moderate and toxic treatment, respectively.
ANOVA analysis of phenotypic data obtained across different treatment durations
revealed non-significant effects when compared to the control groups. The expression
analysis of HMAs by qRT-PCR significantly increased under cadmium stress in toxic
roots and shoots as compared to the control. The HMA1.1 in toxic shoots showed the
non-significant result. This study advances knowledge of the biological functions and
evolutionary history of wheat P-type ATPase superfamily genes.
