Abstract
Germin and germin-like proteins (GLPs) perform a significant role in plants against biotic and abiotic stress. To understand the role of GLPs in potato, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis was performed in the potato genome. This study identified a total of 70
StGLPs
genes in the potato genome, distributed among 11 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis exhibited that
StGLPs
were categorized into six groups with high bootstrap values.
StGLPs
gene structure and motifs analysis showed a relatively well-maintained intron–exon and motif formation within the cognate group. Additionally, several
cis
-elements in the promoter regions of
GLPs
were hormones, and stress-responsive and different families of miRNAs target
StGLPs
. Gene duplication under selection pressure also exhibited positive and purifying selections in
StGLPs
. In our results, the
StGLP5
gene showed the highest expression in response to salt stress among all expressed
StGLPs
. Totally 19
StGLPs
genes were expressed in response to heat stress. Moreover, three genes,
StGLP30
,
StGLP17
, and
StGLP14
, exhibited a relatively higher expression level in the potato after heat treatment. In total, 22 genes expressed in response to abscisic acid (ABA) treatment indicated that ABA performed an essential role in the plant defense or tolerance mechanism to environmental stress. RNA-Seq data validated by RT-qPCR also confirm that the
StGLP5
gene showed maximum expression among selected genes under salt stress. Concisely, our results provide a platform for further functional exploration of the
StGLPs
against salt and heat stress conditions.