Genome-wide analysis of the aquaporin genes in melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Sci Rep. 2020 Dec 17;10(1):22240. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-79250-w.

Abstract

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a very important crop throughout the world and has great economic importance, in part due to its nutritional properties. It prefers well-drained soil with low acidity and has a strong demand for water during fruit set. Therefore, a correct water balance-involving aquaporins-is necessary to maintain the plants in optimal condition. This manuscript describes the identification and comparative analysis of the complete set of aquaporins in melon. 31 aquaporin genes were identified, classified and analysed according to the evolutionary relationship of melon with related plant species. The individual role of each aquaporin in the transport of water, ions and small molecules was discussed. Finally, qPCR revealed that almost all melon aquaporins in roots and leaves were constitutively expressed. However, the high variations in expression among them point to different roles in water and solute transport, providing important features as that CmPIP1;1 is the predominant isoform and CmTIP1;1 is revealed as the most important osmoregulator in the tonoplast under optimal conditions. The results of this work pointing to the physiological importance of each individual aquaporin of melon opening a field of knowledge that deserves to be investigated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Cucumis melo / genetics*
  • Cucumis melo / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant*
  • Genes, Plant
  • Genome, Plant*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Plant Proteins