Genome-wide analysis of HSP90 gene family in the Mediterranean olive (Olea europaea subsp. europaea) provides insight into structural patterns, evolution and functional diversity.

Plants regularly experience multiple abiotic and biotic pressures affecting their normal development. The 90-kDa heat shock protein (HSP90) plays a dynamic role in countering abiotic and biotic stresses via a plethora of functional mechanisms. The HSP90 has been investigated in many plant species. However, there is little information available about this gene family in the cultivated Mediterranean olive tree, Olea europaea subsp. europaea var. europaea. In the current study, we systematically performed genome-wide identification and characterization of the HSP90 gene family in O. europaea var. europaea (OeHSP90s). Twelve regular OeHSP90s were identified, which were phylogenetically grouped into two major clusters and four sub-clusters, showing five paralogous gene pairs evolving under purifying selection. All of the 12 proteins contained a Histidine kinase-like ATPase (HATPase_c) domain, justifying the role played by HSP90 proteins in ATP binding and hydrolysis. The predicted 3D structure of OeHSP90 proteins provided information to understand their functions at the biochemical level. Consistent with their phylogenetic relationships, OeHSP90 members were predicted to be localized in different cellular compartments, suggesting their involvement in various subcellular processes. In consonance with their spatial organization, olive HSP90 family members were found to share similar motif arrangements and similar number of exons. We found that OeHSP90 promoters contained various cis-acting elements associated with light responsiveness, hormone signaling pathways and reaction to various stress conditions. In addition, expression sequence tags (ESTs) analysis offered a view of OeHSP90 tissue- and developmental stage specific pattern of expression. Proteins interacting with OeHSP90s were predicted and their potential roles were discussed. Overall, our results offer premises for further investigation of the implication of HSP90 genes in the physiological processes of the olive and its adaptation to stresses. © Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society 2020.