Identification and Characterization of VDAC Family in Maize

The voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) is the most abundant protein in the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) of all eukaryotes, having an important role in the communication between mitochondria and cytosol. The plant VDAC family consists of a wide variety of members that may participate in cell responses to several environmental stresses. However, there is no experimental information about the members comprising the maize VDAC (ZmVDAC) family. In this study, the family was identified, and described, and its gene transcription profile was explored during the first six days of germination and under different biotic stress stimuli. Nine members were proposed as VDAC genes with a high potential to code functional VDAC proteins. Each member of the family was characterized in silico, and nomenclature was proposed according to phylogenetic relationships. Transcript levels in coleoptiles showed a different pattern of expression for each gene, suggesting specific roles for each one during seedling development. This expression profile changed under infection and salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, and gibberellic acid treatments, suggesting no redundancy for the nine genes and, thus, probably specific and diverse functions according to plant needs and environmental conditions. Nevertheless, was significantly upregulated upon biotic stress signals, suggesting this gene's potential role during the biotic stress response.