The Late Embryogenesis Abundant Protein Family in Cassava ( Crantz): Genome-Wide Characterization and Expression during Abiotic Stress.

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, as a highly diverse group of polypeptides, play an important role in plant adaptation to abiotic stress; however, LEAs from cassava have not been studied in cassava. In this study, 26 LEA members were genome-wide identified from cassava, which were clustered into seven subfamily according to evolutionary relationship, protein motif, and gene structure analyses. Chromosomal location and duplication event analyses suggested that 26 distributed in 10 chromosomes and 11 paralogues were subjected to purifying selection. Transcriptomic analysis showed the expression profiles of in different tissues of stem, leaves, and storage roots of three accessions. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that the function of in response to drought may be differentiated in different accessions. Compared with the wild subspecies W14, more genes were activated in cultivated varieties Arg7 and SC124 after drought treatment. Several genes showed induction under various stresses and related signaling treatments. Taken together, this study demonstrates the transcriptional control of in tissue development and the responses to abiotic stress in cassava and identifies candidate genes for improving crop resistance to abiotic stress.