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Group 1 LEA Proteins in Durum Wheat: Evolution, Expression, and Roles in Abiotic Stress Tolerance
Najeh Soltani1, Ikram Zaidi1, Mohamed Najib Saidi1
1Biotechnology and Plant Improvement Laboratory, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, P.O. Box 1177, Sfax 3018, Tunisia.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 27, 2025
Summary
Group 1 LEA proteins in durum wheat are crucial for seed development and stress protection. This study identified eight genes, revealing their protective roles against desiccation, cold, and heat, enhancing stress tolerance.
Area of Science:
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Group 1 Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins are vital for plant desiccation tolerance.
- Their specific roles in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. Durum) remain under-investigated.
- This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of group 1 LEA proteins in durum wheat.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize group 1 LEA genes in durum wheat.
- To investigate the evolutionary relationships of these genes.
- To elucidate their function in stress tolerance and developmental processes.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis for gene identification and characterization.
- Phylogenetic analysis with related species.
- In silico analysis of cis-regulatory elements.
- Gene expression profiling under various stress conditions.
- Protein purification and functional assays (chaperone activity, LDH protection).
- Heterologous expression in yeast to assess stress tolerance.
Main Results:
- Eight group 1 LEA genes (TtEM1-TtEM8) were identified in the durum wheat genome.
- TtEM proteins are highly disordered and localized in the nucleus.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed four distinct groups with conserved motifs and gene structures.
- Cis-element analysis indicated roles in hormone regulation, stress response, and development.
- TtEM1 and TtEM4 exhibit distinct expression patterns and function as molecular chaperones.
- These proteins protect enzyme activity against abiotic stresses and enhance stress tolerance in yeast.
Conclusions:
- The study comprehensively characterizes the group 1 LEA gene family in durum wheat.
- These genes play significant roles in seed development and abiotic stress adaptation.
- TtEM1 and TtEM4 proteins possess molecular chaperone activity and confer broad stress tolerance.
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