Characterization and expression analysis of dirigent family genes related to stresses in Brassica

• We characterize 29 DIR like genes, where 7 are DIR and 22 are DIR like genes.
• These genes show and organ specific expression in Brassica rapa.
• Several genes respond after biotic and abiotic stress treatments in Brassica.
• BrDIR genes show probable correlation with lignin formation.
• Overall results indicate protective role of BrDIR genes against stresses.

The dirigent (DIR) genes are playing a vital role in enhancing stress resistance in different crop plants. In this study, we collected 29 DIR like genes, two from a Brassica rapa cv. Osome full length cDNA library and 27 from the B. rapa database designated as B. rapa Dirigent (BrDIR) like genes. Sequence analysis and a comparison study of these genes confirmed that seven were dirigent and the remaining 22 were dirigent like genes. Expression analysis revealed an organ specific expression of these genes. BrDIR2 showed differential responses after Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. conglutinans infection in cabbage. Four Brassica oleracea dirigent like genes highly homologous to BrDIR2 also showed similar responses in cabbage plants infected with this fungus. Moreover, several BrDIR like genes showed significant responses after water, ABA and cold stress treatments in Chinese cabbage. Under water stress, most responsive genes showed the highest expression at 24 h, at which time the acid soluble lignin content of samples under the same stress condition were also highest, indicating a possible relationship between BrDIR like genes and lignin content. Taken together, our results indicate a protective role of BrDIR genes against biotic and abiotic stresses in Brassica.