AUTHOR=Chen Shuai , Tian Zengyuan , Guo Yuqi 

TITLE=Characterization of hexokinase gene family members in Glycine max and functional analysis of GmHXK2 under salt stress

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2023.1135290

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2023.1135290

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>Hexokinase (HXK) is a bifunctional enzyme involved in carbohydrate metabolism and sugar signal sensing. HXK gene family has been extensively discussed in many species, while the detailed investigations of the family in <italic>Glycine max</italic> have yet to be reported. In this study, 17 <italic>GmHXK</italic> genes (<italic>GmHXKs</italic>) were identified in the <italic>G. max</italic> genome and the features of their encoded proteins, conserved domains, gene structures, and cis-acting elements were systematically characterized. The <italic>GmHXK2</italic> gene isolated from <italic>G. max</italic> was firstly constructed into plant expression vector pMDC83 and then transformed with <italic>Agrobacterium tumefaciens</italic> into <italic>Arabidopsis thaliana</italic>. The expression of integrated protein was analyzed by Western Blotting. Subcellular localization analysis showed that the <italic>GmHXK2</italic> was located on both vacuolar and cell membrane. Under salt stress, seedlings growth was significantly improved in <italic>Arabidopsis</italic> overexpressing <italic>GmHXK2</italic> gene. Furthermore, physiological indicators and expression of salt stress responsive genes involved in K<sup>+</sup> and Na<sup>+</sup> homeostasis were significantly lower in <italic>GmHXK2</italic>-silenced soybean seedlings obtained by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technique under salt stress compared with the control plants. Our study showed that <italic>GmHXK2</italic> gene played an important role in resisting salt stress, which suggested potential value for the genetic improvement of abiotic resistant crops.</p>