Characterization of ZmSnRK1 Genes and Their Response to Aphid Feeding, Drought and Cold Stress

The SnRK1 complex in plants regulates metabolism in response to environmental stresses and glucose depletion, for stress adaptation and energy homeostasis. Through phosphorylation of various targets, SnRK1 orchestrates intricate regulatory mechanisms involved in autophagy, nutrient remobilization, and TOR activity inhibition, showcasing its pivotal role in coordinating plant metabolism and stress responses. The present study aimed to identify members of the SnRK1 gene family in the maize genome and characterize them using bioinformatics and expression analyses under aphid feeding, drought, and cold stress. The focus of the study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis towards determining gene diversity of ZmSnRK1 genes, constructing intricate 3D structures, and identifying stress-related cis-elements. Four SnRK1 genes were identified, which were named ZmSnRK1.1, ZmSnRK1.2, ZmSnRK1.3, and ZmSnRK1.4. The SnRK1 proteins were found to have a distribution of conserved motifs; however, the distinction between monocots and dicots in the phylogenetic tree was clearly demonstrated. Analysis of the promoter region revealed that the ZmSnRK1 genes contain stress-related cis-elements. Compared to the control, ZmSnRK1.3 significantly upregulated in response to aphid feeding and cold stress, while ZmSnRK1.2 showed elevated expression under drought conditions. The expression of the other two genes under these treatments was generally unperturbed. The findings of this study are poised to establish a valuable scientific foundation for future research on the roles of the SnRK1 gene family in plants, providing valuable insights for enhancing genetic resilience to stress and optimizing yield traits.