Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of kinesin genes superfamily suggested their roles in response to abiotic stress and fertility of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Background Kinesin is a motor for microtubule-based motility and plays a vital role in plant growth and development. The kinesins superfamily members are mainly known from Arabidopsis. However, little research about kinesins superfamily has been conducted on hexploid wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). The functions of kinesins in wheat growth and development, regulation of cell division and response to stress are still unclear. Results In this study, we identified 155 TaKIN genes in wheat, which were divided into 10 families and some ungrouped proteins by phylogenetic analysis. Less gene structural differences showed that TaKIN genes had redundant functions. The conserved domains of different family members were different, and some families might have some special functional domains. We found many cis-acting elements related to hormones (GA, Auxin, SA, MeJA), cell cycle, cell division in homeopathic elements of TaKIN genes. Collinearity analysis showed that TaKIN genes were more conservative in monocotyledons. Expression level in different tissues at different stages suggested that TaKIN family may function during the whole growth and development process of wheat. It was worth noting there were quite different at gene expression level between physiological and heritable male sterile lines during the different stages of pollen development. The differential expression patterns of some TaKIN genes between male sterile line and maintainer line might be related to wheat male sterile. Furthermore, we also found TaKIN genes were involved in response to plant hormones and abiotic stress by stress assays. Conclusions The result is useful for further exploring the molecular mechanism of kinesin genes in wheat male sterility and provides the important information in response to plant hormones and abiotic stress.