Genome-wide identification of the AAT gene family in quinoa and analysis of its expression pattern under abiotic...

Plant amino acid transporters play an important role in the absorption of soil amino acids by roots, the transport of amino acids between xylem and phloem, plant growth and development, and response to abiotic stress.

In this study, we identified 147 AAT genes in the quinoa genome sequence and categorized them into 12 subfamilies on the basis of their similarity and phylogenetic relationships with AAT found in Arabidopsis thaliana. Interestingly, these AAT genes are not evenly distributed on the quinoa chromosomes. Instead, most of these genes are centrally located on the outer edges of the chromosome arms. After performing motif analysis and gene structure analysis, we observed the consistent presence of similar motifs and intron-exon distribution patterns among subfamilies. Tissue expression analysis revealed that CqAAT gene was less expressed in fruits and more expressed in roots, stems, leaves and flowers. Meanwhile, expression analysis under four adversities of high temperature, low temperature, waterlogging, and drought and different treatments of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash fertilizers found that two genes of the CqGAT subfamily, AUR62031750 and AUR62023955 were up-regulated expressed under abiotic stresses.

In summary, there is a significant differentiation in the tissue expression and stress expression of the CqAAT gene, indicating that CqAATs play a role in regulating growth and development under abiotic stress.