Genome-wide analysis of the rice phloem protein 2 gene family identifies OsPP2–10 and OsPP2–13 as candidate genes associated with salt and osmotic stress responses
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction Phloem protein 2 (PP2) proteins are major structural components of the phloem and play important roles in long-distance signaling and plant responses to environmental stresses. However, the evolutionary history and potential functions of the PP2 gene family in rice remain poorly understood. Methods We identified 20 OsPP2 genes and analyzed their evolutionary relationships, gene structures, duplication events, promoter cis-regulatory elements, and expression profiles. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to validate stress-responsive expression patterns. Subcellular localization and yeast heterologous expression assays were performed to further investigate the potential functions of OsPP2-10 and OsPP2-13 . Results Both segmental and tandem duplication contributed to the expansion of the OsPP2 family. Promoter analysis identified multiple predicted stress- and hormone-responsive cis-regulatory elements in most OsPP2 genes. Expression profiling revealed distinct tissue-specific patterns and differential responses to salt, drought, heat, and cold stresses. OsPP2-10 and OsPP2-13 showed relatively strong expression responses to salt stress and PEG6000-induced osmotic stress, consistent with the qRT-PCR results. Subcellular localization analysis detected both proteins in the nucleus and peripheral cellular regions. Heterologous expression of these genes enhanced yeast tolerance to salt and osmotic stress. Discussion These findings provide a systematic overview of the rice PP2 gene family and preliminary evidence supporting the potential involvement of OsPP2-10 and OsPP2-13 in abiotic stress responses. Both genes represent promising candidates for further functional investigation in rice.
Source: Frontiers in Plant Science
Authors: Yongdong Dai, Yang Chen
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7223148107