Identification and Characterization of Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase (CDPK) Gene Families Across the Whole Genome in Cyclocarya paliurus

Abstract

Cyclocarya paliurus, as a medicinal plant, grows widely in Karst ecosystem due to its great tolerance to high calcium levels. Previous studies suggested that Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are crucial for transmitting Ca2+ signal, and thus affecting the plant calcium tolerance. This mechanism has not yet been sufficiently examined for Cyclocarya paliurus (C. paliurus). In this study, 25 CpCDPKs genes were computationally examined and categorized as four groups (CDPK I, CDPK II, CDPK III, and CDPK IV) according to their gene structures, motif and phylogenetic relationships. Both EFhand and protein kinase domain were found in CpCDPK proteins. This work lays the groundwork for further investigation into the roles of CpCDPK in Cyclocarya paliurus.