Analyses of genes encoding the Glycogen Synthase Kinases in rice and Arabidopsis reveal mechanisms which regulate their expression during development and responses to abiotic stresses

Plant Glycogen Synthase Kinases (GSKs) enable a crosstalk among the brassinosteroid signaling and phyto- hormonal-and stress-response pathways to regulate various physiological processes. Initial information about regulation of the GSK proteins' activity was obtained, however, mechanisms that modulate expression of the GSK genes during plant development and stress responses remain largely unknown. Taking into account the impor-tance of the GSK proteins, combined with the lack of in-depth knowledge about modulation of their expression, research in this area may provide a significant insight into mechanisms regulating these aspects of plant biology. In the current study, a detailed analysis of the GSK promoters in rice and Arabidopsis was performed, including identification of the CpG/CpNpG islands, tandem repeats, cis-acting regulatory elements, conserved motifs, and transcription factor-binding sites. Moreover, characterization of expression profiles of the GSK genes in different tissues, organs and under various abiotic stress conditions was performed. Additionally, protein-protein in-teractions between products of the GSK genes were predicted. Results of this study provided intriguing infor-mation about these aspects and insight into various regulatory mechanisms that influence non-redundant and diverse functions of the GSK genes during development and stress responses. Therefore, they may constitute a reference for future research in other plant species.

Automated summary

Plant Glycogen Synthase Kinases (GSKs) play a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes by enabling crosstalk among signaling pathways. However, the mechanisms that regulate the expression of GSK genes during plant development and stress responses are still largely unknown. This study provides a detailed analysis of GSK promoters in rice and Arabidopsis, as well as characterization of expression profiles under different conditions. The results offer valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms and may serve as a reference for future research in other plant species.