Genome-wide Survey And Characterization Of The RCI2Gene Family In Zea Mays

Plant always bear the effect of various environmental factors. Especially, abioticstress have an extensive effect. Rare-cold inductible（RCI2）involve in the tolerance ofabiotic stress. RCI2gene family were found in lots of organisms. It’s very conserved,and encoded a small, highly hydrophobic protein. RCI2regulate the transformation ofcellular ions, and relate to membrane potential. Our research analyzed maize RCI2gene family by bioinformatics’ method, including evolution and expression. Moreover,we compared it with sorghum, millet, rice and brome. The results of our study offereda systemic realization for investigating RCI2’s function. The main results as follows:1.By searching genomic database, ten maize RCI2genes were identified. Then, wenamed them by chromosomal location. Moreover, the pI and MW of their proteinswere also calculated.2.The phylogenetic tree was constructed for ZmRCI2s. Besides, we also constructedanother for RCI2s in grass species.45RCI2were classified into three classes.Generally, ZmRCI2s were located to the end of chromosome. ZmRCI2-3,5,ZmRCI2-4,6belong to segmental duplication.3.The proteins encoded by ZmRCI2s were analyzed. They all show a very conservedproperty, and have two transmembrane domains. Motif analysis related to45RCI2s ingrass species. Motif1,2almost existed in all RCI2genes, and representedtransmembrane domain. Motif3was usually located to the C-terminal of polypeptide.4. The promoters of ZmRCI2s were examined. Three cis-elements were referred,namely ABRE, LTRE and DRE. ZmRCI2-10have the most ABRE.5.ZmRCI2s’ expression were surveyed by dbEST. Ten ZmRCI2s got the expressedevidence. ZmRCI2-1emerged the personality of expression, and mainly related to rootand inflorescence.6. ZmRCI2s’ expression were studied in dehydration. In drought, their expressionemerged diversity. ZmRCI2-2,5,10recovered to a normal level after the expressionfell. ZmRCI2-4was constantly down-regulated. ZmRCI2-6was steadily expressed.