Genome-Wide Analyses of Aspartic Proteases on Potato Genome (): Generating New Tools to Improve the Resistance of Plants to Abiotic Stress.

Aspartic proteases are proteolytic enzymes widely distributed in living organisms and viruses. Although they have been extensively studied in many plant species, they are poorly described in potatoes. The present study aimed to identify and characterize aspartic proteases. Gene structure, chromosome and protein domain organization, phylogeny, and subcellular predicted localization were analyzed and integrated with RNAseq data from different tissues, organs, and conditions focused on abiotic stress. Sixty-two aspartic protease genes were retrieved from the potato genome, distributed in 12 chromosomes. A high number of intronless genes and segmental and tandem duplications were detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed eight AP groups, named from API to APVIII, that were differentiated into typical API), nucellin-like (APIIIa), and atypical aspartic proteases (APII, APIIIb to APVIII). RNAseq data analyses showed that gene expression was consistent with the presence of cis-acting regulatory elements on AP promoter regions related to water deficit. The study presents the first identification and characterization of 62 aspartic protease genes and proteins on the potato genome and provides the baseline material for functional gene determinations and potato breeding programs, including gene editing mediated by CRISPR.