BURP domain-containing genes in legumes: genome-wide identification, structure, and expression analysis under stresses and development

BURP domain-containing proteins are a plant-specific protein family which play an important role in plant metabolism and development. These proteins have also been involved in various abiotic and biotic stress responses. In this study, genome-wide identification and characterization of BURP domain protein encoding gene family is performed in four important legumes, Phaseolus vulgaris, Cicer arietinum, Cajanus cajan, and Vigna radiata. BURP genes were distributed randomly across chromosomes in all four legume plants. The phylogenetic analysis classified all BURP proteins into five major subfamilies, namely, USP-like, RD22-like, BNM2-like, PG1β-like, and BURPV. Our findings revealed that BURP gene family descended from common ancestors with segmental gene duplication events playing a critical role in their evolution and expansion in legumes. The intron–exon and conserved protein motifs analysis revealed that BURP genes are structurally conserved in legumes. The promoter analysis revealed the presence of hormone, and stress-responsive cis-regulatory elements in BURP promoters, implying that BURP functions in both hormone and abiotic stress signaling. Global expression analysis revealed that several BURP genes in all four legumes express differentially during plant development, and under biotic and abiotic stresses. This indicates crucial role of BURP proteins in regulating the development of legumes and adaptation to different abiotic/biotic stresses. This study will provide the starter for cloning and detail functional investigation of BURP proteins in legume crops.