Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the BvSnRK2 Genes Family in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Under Salt Conditions

The sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase 2s (SnRK2s) have been shown to play critical roles in the response to environmental stresses in higher plants. Although the SnRK2 genes family has been identified in various plants, little is reported regarding SnRK2s in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), which is one of the most important crops for both food and sugar production. In the current study, the SnRK2s genes are identified in the sugar beet genome by bioinformatics, and their expression patterns under salinity conditions are tested by the qRT-PCR method. Results showed that a total of six BvSnRK2 genes are identified and characterized from the genome of sugar beet and are further classified into three distinct groups (Group 1, 2, and 3). All BvSnRK2s contained a highly conserved N-terminal kinase region and a greatly divergent C-terminal region. Except for BvSnRK2.4, most of the BvSnRK2 genes were disrupted by eight introns with size ranging from 82 to 2164 bp. Moreover, the expression levels of the BvSnRK2s genes were strongly enhanced by salt treatments, which may be an indicator of potential roles in the response to salinity. The present work is the first systematic analysis of the SnRK2 family genes in sugar beet. The results from this study provide a novel insight for the functional exploration and application of the SnRK2s genes for crop improvement, especially in sugar crops.