Genome-wide characterization and expression profiling of PDI family gene reveals function as abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis)

Abstract Background Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and PDI-like proteins contain thioredoxin domains that catalyze protein disulfide bond, inhibit aggregation of misfolded proteins, and function in isomerization during protein folding in endoplasmic reticulum and responses during abiotic stresses.Chinese cabbage is widely recognized as an economically important, nutritious vegetable, but its yield is severely hampered by various biotic and abiotic stresses. Because of, it is prime need to identify those genes whose are responsible for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. PDI family genes are among of them. Results We have identified 32 PDI genes from the Br135K microarray dataset, NCBI and BRAD database, and in silico characterized their sequences. Expression profiling of those genes was performed using cDNA of plant samples imposed to abiotic stresses; cold, salt, drought and ABA (Abscisic Acid) and biotic stress; Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans infection. The Chinese cabbage PDI genes were clustered in eleven groups in phylogeny. Among them, 15 PDI genes were ubiquitously expressed in various organs, while 24 PDI genes were up-regulated under salt and drought stress. By contrast, cold and ABA stress responsive gene number were ten and nine, respectively. In case of F. oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans infection 14 BrPDI genes were highly up-regulated. Interestingly, BrPDI1–1 gene was identified as putative candidate against abiotic (salt and drought) and biotic stresses, BrPDI5–2 gene for ABA stress, and BrPDI1–4, 6–1 and 9–2 were putative candidate genes for both cold and chilling injury stresses. Conclusions Our findings help to elucidate the involvement of PDI genes in stress responses, and they lay the foundation for functional genomics in future studies and molecular breeding of Brassica rapa crops. The stress-responsive PDI genes could be potential resources for molecular breeding of Brassica crops resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses