Identification and Analysis of Aluminum-Activated Malate Transporter Gene Family Reveals Functional Diversification in Orchidaceae and the Expression Patterns of Dendrobium catenatum Aluminum-Activated Malate Transporters

Aluminum-activated malate transporter (ALMT) genes play an important role in aluminum ion (Al³⁺) tolerance, fruit acidity, and stomatal movement. Although decades of research have been carried out in many plants, there is little knowledge about the roles of ALMT in Orchidaceae. In this study, 34 ALMT genes were identified in the genomes of four orchid species. Specifically, ten ALMT genes were found in Dendrobium chrysotoxum and D. catenatum, and seven were found in Apostasia shenzhenica and Phalaenopsis equestris. These ALMT genes were further categorized into four clades (clades 1–4) based on phylogenetic relationships. Sequence alignment and conserved motif analysis revealed that most orchid ALMT proteins contain conserved regions (TM1, GABA binding motif, and WEP motif). We also discovered a unique motif (19) belonging to clade 1, which can serve as a specifically identified characteristic. Comparison with the gene structure of AtALMT genes (Arabidopsis thaliana) showed that the gene structure of ALMT was conserved across species, but the introns were longer in orchids. The promoters of orchid ALMT genes contain many light-responsive and hormone-responsive elements, suggesting that their expression may be regulated by light and phytohormones. Chromosomal localization and collinear analysis of D. chrysotoxum indicated that tandem duplication (TD) is the main reason for the difference in the number of ALMT genes in these orchids. D. catenatum was chosen for the RT-qPCR experiment, and the results showed that the DcaALMT gene expression pattern varied in different tissues. The expression of DcaALMT1-9 was significantly changed after ABA treatment. Combining the circadian CO₂ uptake rate, titratable total acid, and RT-qPCR data analysis, most DcaALMT genes were highly expressed at night and around dawn. The result revealed that DcaALMT genes might be involved in photosynthate accumulation. The above study provides more comprehensive information for the ALMT gene family in Orchidaceae and a basis for subsequent functional analysis.