Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Brassica EXO70 Gene Family

Abstract Background EXO70 is a crucial subunit of the exocyst complex.Brassica rapa belongs to the cruciferous vegetables and is a typical example of sporophyte self -incompatibility.EXO70 gene family plays a vital role in reproduction of Brassica rapa. Methods and Results In this study, a total of 39 EXO70 family members were identified from the Brassica rapa genome, which were mapped to ten B. rapa chromosomes. Our results showed that most of the genes of the EXO70 family code for products that are distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasm.This gene family developed three clades during evolution, divided into eight subgroups. We unveiled differences in gene structure, conserved motifs, and basic domains in the EXO70 gene family of B. rapa. Gene duplication was common and has resulted in the expansion of the BrEXO70 family. The analysis of cis-regulatory elements elucidated that most of the genes are involved in interactions with major hormones (abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate), stress responses, and light responses. The expression profile revealed that BrEXO70 is expressed abundantly in different tissues. Furthermore, BrEXO70 appears to contributing to self-incompatibility and regulating male-female sterility. Notably, in predicting the protein interaction network we found that Br009523 interacts with Br036797 and Br038900 (related to the membrane component PIP2). Conclusion We analyzed this gene family through bioinformatics, and speculated some functions in expression profile. We have inferred other functions in plant tissues, male and female sterility, and self