Characterization of the CqCAMTA gene family reveals the role of CqCAMTA03 in drought tolerance

BACKGROUND: Calmodulin-binding transcription activators (CAMTAs) are relatively conserved calmodulin-binding transcription factors widely found in eukaryotes and play important roles in plant growth and stress response. CAMTA transcription factors have been identified in several plant species, but the family members and functions have not yet been identified and analyzed in quinoa. RESULTS: In this study, we identified seven CAMTA genes across the whole quinoa genome and analyzed the expression patterns of CqCAMTAs in root and leaf tissues. Gene structure, protein domain, and phylogenetic analyses showed that the quinoa CAMTAs were structurally similar and clustered into the same three major groups as other plant CAMTAs. A large number of stress response-related cis-elements existed in the 2 kb promoter region upstream of the transcription start site of the CqCAMTA genes. qRT-PCR indicated that CqCAMTA genes were expressed differentially under PEG treatments in leaves, and responded to drought stress in leaves and roots. In particular, the CqCAMTA03 gene strongly responded to drought. The transient expression of CqCAMTA03-GFP fusion protein in the tobacco leaf showed that CqCAMTA03 was localized in the nucleus. In addition, transgenic Arabidopsis lines exhibited higher concentration levels of the antioxidant enzymes measured, including POD, SOD, and CAT, under drought conditions with very low levels of H(2)O(2) and MDA. Moreover, relative water content and the degree of stomatal opening showed that the transgenic Arabidopsis lines were more tolerant of both stress factors as compared to their wild types. CONCLUSION: In this study, the structures and functions of the CAMTA family in quinoa were systematically explored. Many CAMTAs may play vital roles in the regulation of organ development, growth, and responses to drought stress. The results of the present study serve as a basis for future functional studies on the quinoa CAMTA family. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-022-03817-0.