Gene-wide identification and expression analysis of the PMEI family genes in soybean (Glycine max).

Pectin Methylesterase Inhibitors () gene family is widely spread in plants and plays crucial roles in plant development as well as biotic and abiotic stress response. However, little information was known about the function of genes in soybean. Herein, we identified 170 genes in soybean. These genes were divided into four groups (I-IV) based on phylogenetic analysis, and they were unevenly distributed in 18 soybean chromosomes. Gene structures and motif pattern analyses revealed that the genes in the same group showed the same characteristics. For the genes, gene duplication events occurred broadly, 52 pairs tandem duplication events and 55 pairs segmental duplication events suggested that the genes had high homology. Besides, the genes presented different expression patterns in different tissues, while several of these genes were expressed only in flowers. Under the biotic and abiotic stresses, genes had significant positive impact on the tolerance ability of soybean, and the ABA-responsive elements and SA-responsive elements played vital roles in responding to a variety of stresses. This study provides insights into the evolution and potential functions of .