The Slow Anion Channel (SLAC/SLAH) Gene Family in Pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) and Comparison with Other Members of the Rosaceae

SLAC/SLAH gene family is belongs to S-type anion channels, which act as important anion transport in plant, such as nitrate, chloride, sulfate. SLAC/SLAH gene family plays a central role in controlling the stomatal closure, however, recent studies show that it take part in nitrate absorption and translocation in plant roots. But, there is far less information about this family in pear and four other Rosaceae fruit crops. Here, we provided a genome-wide identification and analysis of the SLAC/SLAH gene family in pear and five other members of the Rosaceae. In this study, 26 SLAC/SLAH genes were identified from five Rosaceae species (Pyrus bretschneideri, Malus domestica, Prunus persica, Fragaria vesca, Prunus mume). Based on the structural characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of these sequences, the SLAC/SLAH family genes could be classified into three main groups. The majority of gene duplications in the Rosaceae appeared to be caused by dispersed and tandem duplication. Transcriptome data demonstrated that the expression levels of the Pbslac/slah genes were widely different. Four SLAC/SLAH genes were upregulated under conditions of nitrogen deficiency. These results provide valuable information to increase our understanding of the function, evolution and expression analyses of the SLAC/SLAH gene family in higher plants.