AUTHOR=Wang Xinsheng , Jin Zhi , Ding Yina , Guo Meng 

TITLE=Characterization of HSP70 family in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus): identification, structure, evolution, and potential function in response to ABA, cold and drought stress

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2023.1201535

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2023.1201535

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>Watermelon (<italic>Citrullus lanatus</italic>) as a crop with important economic value, is widely cultivated around the world. The heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) family in plant is indispensable under stress conditions. However, no comprehensive analysis of watermelon <italic>HSP70</italic> family is reported to date. In this study, 12 <italic>ClHSP70</italic> genes were identified from watermelon, which were unevenly located in 7 out of 11 chromosomes and divided into three subfamilies. ClHSP70 proteins were predicted to be localized primarily in cytoplasm, chloroplast, and endoplasmic reticulum. Two pairs of segmental repeats and 1 pair of tandem repeats existed in <italic>ClHSP70</italic> genes, and <italic>ClHSP70s</italic> underwent strong purification selection. There were many abscisic acid (ABA) and abiotic stress response elements in <italic>ClHSP70</italic> promoters. Additionally, the transcriptional levels of <italic>ClHSP70s</italic> in roots, stems, true leaves, and cotyledons were also analyzed. Some of <italic>ClHSP70</italic> genes were also strongly induced by ABA. Furthermore, <italic>ClHSP70s</italic> also had different degrees of response to drought and cold stress. The above data indicate that <italic>ClHSP70s</italic> may be participated in growth and development, signal transduction and abiotic stress response, laying a foundation for further analysis of the function of ClHSP70s in biological processes.</p>