| Summary: | The plant kingdom harbors the Plasmodesmata Callose Binding Protein (<i>PDCB</i>) gene family, which plays essential roles in plant growth, development, environmental adaptation, and yield. <i>PDCB</i> genes are closely involved in regulating cell-to-cell communication and controlling callose deposition at plasmodesmata (PD) throughout the whole plant. Remarkably, their functions remain largely unknown in many crops, including maize. This study sought to identify the members of the <i>PDCB</i> gene family within the maize genome and analyze their physicochemical properties and expression patterns. Utilizing bioinformatics methodologies, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the <i>PDCB</i> gene family was performed. The findings revealed that <i>PDCB</i> genes were highly abundant in maize, with a total of 56 <i>PDCB</i> genes identified and categorized into six distinct groups. Members of the <i>PDCB</i> family were dispersed across all chromosomes. The <i>PDCBs</i> within each group exhibited significant similarity in their conserved motifs and gene structures; all members contained the X8 domain, comprising one to five exons, while displaying a straightforward genomic structure. Numerous <i>cis</i>-acting elements associated with plant growth and development, light response, stress-associated responses, and plant hormones were identified in the promoter regions of <i>PDCB</i> genes. Moreover, the <i>PDCBs</i> exhibited diverse expression patterns across various tissues. This study improves the comprehension of the <i>PDCB</i> gene family and provides a robust foundation for further research on maize.
|
|---|
