Identification and Characterization of Potassium Channel Gene Family and Response to Salt and Chilling Stress in Rice.

potassium channel proteins are a class of voltage-gated ion channels responsible for K uptake and translocation, playing a crucial role in plant growth and salt tolerance. In this study, bioinformatic analysis was performed to identify the members within the gene family. Moreover, the expression patterns of rice K channel genes were analyzed in different tissues and salt treatment by RT-qPCR. The results revealed that there were eight K channel genes distributed on chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 in rice, and their promoters contained a variety of cis-regulatory elements, including hormone-responsive, light-responsive, and stress-responsive elements, etc. Most of the K channel genes were expressed in all tissues of rice, but at different levels in different tissues. In addition, the expression of K channel genes differed in the timing, organization and intensity of response to salt and chilling stress. In conclusion, our findings provide a reference for the understanding of K channel genes, as well as their potential functions in response to salt and chilling stress in rice.