Objective The glutamate receptor-like (GLR) gene family was identified at the whole genome level of Panax notoginseng and the expression analysis under different hormone treatments was conducted to provide a reference for in-depth study of its functions. Methods The PnGLR gene family was systematically identified using bioinformatics methods, followed by comprehensive analyses of physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, protein structures, cis-regulatory elements, and expression patterns. Additionally, their expression responses were examined under exogenous hormone treatments, including methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA), and L-glutamic acid (L-Glu), as well as upon infection with Cylindrocarpon destructans. Results Genome-wide analysis identified 12 PnGLR genes in P. notoginseng, which were unevenly distributed across six chromosomes and grouped into four clades. Members of the PnGLR gene family encoded 693 to 1372 amino acids and contained 2 to 5 transmembrane domains, and were all predicted to localize to the plasma membrane. The cis-acting element prediction results showed that the promoter region of PnGLR contained response elements related to light, plant hormones, and abiotic/biotic stress. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results demonstrated that PnGLR2, PnGLR4, PnGLR5, PnGLR8, PnGLR9, and PnGLR11 were significantly upregulated under exogenous hormone treatments and C. destructans infection. Exogenous L-Glu treatment with 1 and 10 mmol/L could significantly induce the upregulation of gene expression of PnGLR5, PnGLR6, PnGLR7, PnGLR9, and PnGLR10. Conclusion A total of 12 members of the PnGLR gene family were identified at the whole-genome level, and their expression patterns under exogenous hormone, L-Glu treatment and C. destructans infection were different, this laid a theoretical foundation for further exploring the potential functions of the PnGLR genes.

Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F. H. Chen  /  glutamate receptors-like (GLR)  /  gene family  /  hormone treatment  /  gene expression profile