Identification and characterization of annexin family genes and their functional analysis under abiotic stress in poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Annexins are proteins encoded by gene family genes that bind to phospholipids in a Ca2+-dependent manner and are involved in plant growth, development and stress tolerance. In this study, the annexin gene family was genome-wide characterized in poppy. Twenty-five genes encoding typical features of annexin proteins were identified in the poppy genome (ASM357369v1) and named from PsAnn1 to PsAnn25, also numbered according to the species name. In the phylogenetic tree, PsAnn proteins were grouped closely related to each other.PsAnn genes are randomly located on seven of the eleven poppy chromosomes. Most PsAnns are found in the cytoplasm. Only PsAnn24 and PsAnn8 are present in the Golgi and vacuole. Duplications were identified in 3 gene pairs (PsAnn4/PsAnn5, PsAnn7/PsAnn8 and PsAnn13/PsAnn14), taking into account that the aligned sequence length would cover more than 80% of the longer gene and that their similarity was over 80% and that they were located close on the same chromosome. Several cis-acting elements related to light, development, environmental stress and hormones were identified in the promoters of many PsAnn genes. A total of 10 motifs were identified in all PsAnn proteins, seven of which are present in all proteins. All but 7 of the PsAnn proteins contain all 10 motifs. The least number of motifs was found in PsAnn25. PsAnn genes have between 4 and 6 exons and between 3 and 5 introns. In all genes, the 1st and/or 2nd introns are longer than the others. Poppy seedlings of Çelikoğlu cultivar grown at 20 ºC, 65% relative humidity, 370 μmol m-2 s-1 light intensity and 16 s day/8 s night photoperiod for 30 days were subjected to high temperature treatment at 30 ºC for 6 s. Changes in the expression levels of PsAnn genes at this temperature were determined. Changes in the expression levels of 9 PsAnn genes (PsAnn1, -3, -4, -5, -6, - 7, -8, -9, -10) were determined with high temperature. Six of the PsAnn genes (PsAnn3, -5, -6, -8, -9, -9, -10) showed higher expression levels and three of them (PsAnn1, -4, - 7) showed lower expression levels in high temperature treated plants compared to control plants. The highest expression level change (2.5 fold) was observed in PsAnn3, followed by PsAnn5 (2 fold). Thus, these PsAnn genes, which are more highly expressed under high temperature, may have critical roles in the heat stress response of poppy.