Molecular Characterization of Germin-like Protein Genes in () Using Various Approaches.

Germin (GER) and germin-like proteins (GLPs) play an important role in various plant processes. contains 26 germin-like protein genes () located on chromosomes 2, 4, and 10; most of which are functionally unexplored. The present study aimed to characterize all using the latest computational tools. All of them were studied at a physicochemical, subcellular, structural, and functional level, and their expression was predicted in plant development, against biotic and abiotic stresses using various approaches. Overall, ZmGLPs showed greater similarity in their physicochemical properties, domain architecture, and structure, mostly localized in the cytoplasmic or extracellular regions. Phylogenetically, they have a narrow genetic background with a recent history of gene duplication events on chromosome 4. Functional analysis revealed novel enzymatic activities of phosphoglycolate phosphatase, adenosylhomocysteinase, phosphoglycolate phosphatase-like, osmotin/thaumatin-like, and acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase largely mediated by disulfide bonding. Expression analysis revealed their crucial role in the root, root tips, crown root, elongation and maturation zones, radicle, and cortex with the highest expression being observed during germination and at the maturity levels. Further, showed strong expression against biotic (, , , , and ) while limited expression was noted against abiotic stresses. Concisely, our results provide a platform for additional functional exploration of the genes against various environmental stresses.