Molecular Analysis of Genes in and Their Responses to Different Stresses.

14-3-3 proteins (14-3-3s) are among the most important phosphorylated molecules playing crucial roles in regulating plant development and defense responses to environmental constraints. No report thus far has documented the gene family of in and their roles in response to stresses. In this study, nine genes, designated as ( through ) were identified from the latest genome. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into ε-like and non-ε groups, which were supported by gene structure analysis. The nine were located on five chromosomes, and none had duplication. Publicly available RNA-Seq raw data and microarray databases were mined for 14-3-3 expression profiles in different organs of citrus and in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. RT-qPCR was used for further examining spatial expression patterns of in citrus and their temporal expressions in one-year-old "Xuegan" plants after being exposed to different biotic and abiotic stresses. The nine were expressed in eight different organs with some isoforms displayed tissue-specific expression patterns. Six of the positively responded to citrus canker infection ( pv. ). The showed expressional divergence after phytohormone application and abiotic stress treatments, suggesting that 14-3-3 proteins are ubiquitous regulators in . Using the yeast two-hybrid assay, CitGF14a, b, c, d, g, and h were found to interact with CitGF14i proteins to form a heterodimer, while CitGF14i interacted with itself to form a homodimer. Further analysis of co-expression and potential interactors established a 14-3-3s protein interaction network. The established network identified genes and several candidate clients which may play an important role in developmental regulation and stress responses in this important fruit crop. This is the first study of 14-3-3s in citrus, and the established network may help further investigation of the roles of 14-3-3s in response to abiotic and biotic constraints.