Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the HSP90 Gene Family in Relation to Developmental and Abiotic Stress in Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe).

Area of Science:

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• Abiotic Stress Response

Background:

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is vulnerable to abiotic stresses like heat and drought.
• Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) genes are vital for plant stress resistance.
• The HSP90 gene family in ginger has not been previously studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize the HSP90 gene family in ginger.
• To investigate the role of ginger HSP90 genes in response to abiotic stresses.
• To provide insights for enhancing ginger's stress resilience.

Main Methods:

• Genome-wide identification of HSP90 gene family members in ginger.
• Bioinformatic analyses including protein properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, and promoter elements.
• Expression profiling of ZoHSP90 genes under various abiotic stress conditions (low temperature, drought, high temperature, salt).

Main Results:

• Eleven ZoHSP90 members were identified and characterized.
• HSP90 proteins showed variations in size, localization, and conserved motifs.
• Cis-acting elements involved in stress and hormone signaling were identified in promoter regions.
• ZoHSP90 genes exhibited tissue-specific and dynamic expression patterns under stress.

Conclusions:

• The ginger HSP90 gene family plays a significant role in abiotic stress adaptation.
• Ginger HSP90 genes possess both conserved and species-specific stress response mechanisms.
• Findings support future genetic engineering efforts to improve ginger's resilience to climate change.