Bioinformatics characterization of IQD gene family in common bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in detail and investigation of its relationship with abiotic stress at the mRNA level

IQD proteins (domain 1Q-67), a class of calmodulin-binding proteins, are involved in plant growth and development processes, as well as in the plant's response to environmental stimuli. The IQD gene family has been studied in various plants to date, but little is known about its functions in common bean. In the thesis study, genome-wide identification and characterization of the IQD gene family in common bean was performed. A total of 36 PvIQD genes were identified and named as PvIQD1 to PvIQD36. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PvIQD genes were divided into four groups and that the exon-intron and conserved motif contents of the genes in the same group were similar. Sinteni analysis indicated that segmental duplication was involved in PvIQD genes, while Ka/Ks analysis showed strong purifying selection predominant. The promoter regions of the PvIQD genes contained high levels of hormone and stress-related cis-elements. Stress-associated miRNAs may be involved in gene expression regulation by targeting PvIQD genes. PvIQD genes exhibited different expression profiles in different tissues. The expression profiles of 10 PvIQD genes obtained from RNA-seq data under salt stress were examined using qPCR. PvIQD genes appeared to elicit a strong response to salt stress. Consequently, PvIQD genes can regulate various stress responses.