AUTHOR=Wang Guoming , Sun Xun , Guo Zhihua , Joldersma Dirk , Guo Lei , Qiao Xin , Qi Kaijie , Gu Chao , Zhang Shaoling 

TITLE=Genome-wide Identification and Evolution of the PP2C Gene Family in Eight Rosaceae Species and Expression Analysis Under Stress in Pyrus bretschneideri

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2021.770014

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2021.770014

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>Type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C) plays an essential role in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling transduction processes. In the current study, we identify 719 putative <italic>PP2C</italic> genes in eight Rosaceae species, including 118 in Chinese white pear, 110 in European pear, 73 in Japanese apricot, 128 in apple, 74 in peach, 65 in strawberry, 78 in sweet cherry, and 73 in black raspberry. Further, the phylogenetic analysis categorized <italic>PbrPP2C</italic> genes of Chinese white pear into twelve subgroups based on the phylogenic analysis. We observed that whole-genome duplication (WGD) and dispersed gene duplication (DSD) have expanded the Rosaceae <italic>PP2C</italic> family despite simultaneous purifying selection. Expression analysis finds that <italic>PbrPP2C</italic> genes have organ-specific functions. QRT-PCR validation of nine <italic>PbrPP2C</italic> genes of subgroup A indicates a role in ABA-mediated response to abiotic stress. Finally, we find that five <italic>PbrPP2C</italic> genes of subgroup A function in the nucleus. In summary, our research suggests that the <italic>PP2C</italic> family functions to modulate ABA signals and responds to abiotic stress.</p>