Identification and Characterization of Shaker K(+) Channel Gene Family in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) and Their Role in Stress Response

Potassium (K(+)) is one of the indispensable elements in plant growth and development. The Shaker K(+) channel protein family is involved in plant K(+) uptake and distribution. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica), as an important crop, has strong tolerance and adaptability to abiotic stresses. However, no systematic study focused on the Shaker K(+) channel family in foxtail millet. Here, ten Shaker K(+) channel genes in foxtail millet were identified and divided into five groups through phylogenetic analysis. Gene structures, chromosome locations, cis-acting regulatory elements in promoter, and post-translation modification sites of Shaker K(+) channels were analyzed. In silico analysis of transcript level demonstrated that the expression of Shaker K(+) channel genes was tissue or developmental stage specific. The transcription levels of Shaker K(+) channel genes in foxtail millet under different abiotic stresses (cold, heat, NaCl, and PEG) and phytohormones (6-BA, BR, MJ, IAA, NAA, GA3, SA, and ABA) treatments at 0, 12, and 24 h were detected by qRT-PCR. The results showed that SiAKT1, SiKAT3, SiGORK, and SiSKOR were worth further research due to their significant responses after most treatments. The yeast complementation assay verified the inward K(+) transport activities of detectable Shaker K(+) channels. Finally, we found interactions between SiKAT2 and SiSNARE proteins. Compared to research in Arabidopsis, our results showed a difference in SYP121 related Shaker K(+) channel regulation mechanism in foxtail millet. Our results indicate that Shaker K(+) channels play important roles in foxtail millet and provide theoretical support for further exploring the K(+) absorption mechanism of foxtail millet under abiotic stress.