Comprehensive sequence and expression profile analysis of the phosphate transporter gene family in soybean

The family of phosphate transporters (PHTs) mediates the uptake and translocation of Pi inside the plants. However, little is known about transporters in soybean. Therefore, Searched the Genome Database for Soybean, 57 GmPHTs family members were identified in soybean, Phylogenetic analysis suggested that members of the PHTs gene family can be divided into six clades. Collinearity analysis revealed that most of the GmPHT genes shared syntenic relationships with PHTs members in Arabidopsis thaliana and that large segment duplication played a major driving force for GmPHTs evolution in addition to tandem duplication. Further analysis of the promoter revealed that light-responsive elements and abiotic stress-responsive elements were widely distributed within the promoter regions of GmPHT genes. Based on RNA-seq data, GmPHTs showed different expression patterns in roots and leaves of soybean treated with long-term low phosphorus and short-term low phosphorus, in addition, the expression levels of GmPHT genes can be regulated by drought stresses, it was implied that the induced expression of GmPHTs could promote phosphorus uptake and transport in soybean and thus adapt to low phosphorus and drought stress, which is the first step dissection of Pi transport system and probably refers to new roles of PHTs genes in soybean.