KT/HAK/KUP potassium transporters gene family and their whole-life cycle expression profile in rice (Oryza sativa)

KT/HAK/KUP potassium transporter protein-encoding genes constitute a large family in the plant kingdom. The KT/HAK/KUP family is important for various physiological processes of plant life. In this study, we identified 27 potential KT/HAK/KUP family genes in rice (Oryza sativa) by database searching. Analysis of these KT/HAK/KUP family members identified three conserved motifs with unknown functions, and 11-15 trans-membrane segments, most of which are conserved. A total of 144 putative cis-elements were found in the 2 kb upstream region of these genes, of which a Ca2+-responsive cis-element, two light-responsive cis-elements, and a circadian-regulated cis-element were identified in the majority of the members, suggesting regulation of these genes by these signals. A comprehensive expression analysis of these genes was performed using data from microarrays hybridized with RNA samples of 27 tissues covering the entire life cycle from three rice genotypes, Minghui 63, Zhenshan 97, and Shanyou 63. We identified preferential expression of two OsHAK genes in stamen at 1 day before flowering compared with all the other tissues. OsHAK genes were also found to be differentially upregulated or downregulated in rice seedlings subjected to treatments with three hormones. These results would be very useful for elucidating the roles of these genes in growth, development, and stress response of the rice plant.