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Volume 16
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10.3390/life16010046
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

The SAP Gene Family in Oat (Avena sativa L.): Genome-Wide Identification, Gene Expression Analysis, and Functional Characterization of AvSAP1 in Response to Stress Conditions

by
Nour Regaig
1,
Mouna Ghorbel
2,
Ikram Zribi
1,
Olfa Jrad
1,
Kaouthar Feki
1,
Khaled Masmoudi
3 and
Faiçal Brini
1,*
1
Biotechnology and Plant Improvement Laboratory, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, P.O. Box 1177, Sfax City 3018, Tunisia
2
Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Hail, P.O. Box 2440, Ha’il City 81451, Saudi Arabia
3
Integrative Agriculture Department, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Life 2026, 16(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16010046 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 27 November 2025 / Revised: 19 December 2025 / Accepted: 20 December 2025 / Published: 26 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Functional Genomics and Breeding)
Versions Notes

Abstract

The stress-associated proteins (SAPs) correspond to zinc-finger proteins containing A20/AN1 domains that are involved in plant responses to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses. However, in oat, no information has been available so far regarding the characteristics and regulation of these genes. In the current research work, eleven AvSAP genes were identified in oats genome (OT3098 variety) named AvSAP1 to AvSAP11. Eight proteins contained both A20 and AN1 domains located at the N- and C-terminal portions of the proteins, respectively. Subsequently, the gene structure and duplication, chromosomal location, cis-acting elements, and protein properties were analyzed using bioinformatic tools. Moreover, genes expression profiles revealed that AvSAP genes present hormones and stress-responsive cis-elements in their promoters. These observations were confirmed using QRT-PCR analysis. Indeed, the majority of identified AvSAP genes were responsive to NaCl, PEG, heat, ethylene, and metallic (Mn, Cu, and Cd) stresses. Moreover, ABA phytohormone induced a significant upregulation of nine AvSAP genes in leaves (5.8–6.5-fold induction) and roots (1.9–4.2-fold induction), corroborating their crucial role of those genes in plants’ response to a wide range of abiotic stresses. In contrast, GA and IAA exert a slight effect on those genes. Finally, AvSAP1 protein expression in bacterial cells conferred tolerance to ionic and osmotic stress. Our results provide deeper insight into AvSAP genes in plants and support advanced functional analyses of this gene family in oats.
Keywords: Avena sativa; abiotic stress; bioinformatics analysis; gene expression; recombinant protein; stress-associated proteins (SAPs) Avena sativa; abiotic stress; bioinformatics analysis; gene expression; recombinant protein; stress-associated proteins (SAPs)

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MDPI and ACS Style

Regaig, N.; Ghorbel, M.; Zribi, I.; Jrad, O.; Feki, K.; Masmoudi, K.; Brini, F. The SAP Gene Family in Oat (Avena sativa L.): Genome-Wide Identification, Gene Expression Analysis, and Functional Characterization of AvSAP1 in Response to Stress Conditions. Life 2026, 16, 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/life16010046

AMA Style

Regaig N, Ghorbel M, Zribi I, Jrad O, Feki K, Masmoudi K, Brini F. The SAP Gene Family in Oat (Avena sativa L.): Genome-Wide Identification, Gene Expression Analysis, and Functional Characterization of AvSAP1 in Response to Stress Conditions. Life. 2026; 16(1):46. https://doi.org/10.3390/life16010046

Chicago/Turabian Style

Regaig, Nour, Mouna Ghorbel, Ikram Zribi, Olfa Jrad, Kaouthar Feki, Khaled Masmoudi, and Faiçal Brini. 2026. "The SAP Gene Family in Oat (Avena sativa L.): Genome-Wide Identification, Gene Expression Analysis, and Functional Characterization of AvSAP1 in Response to Stress Conditions" Life 16, no. 1: 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/life16010046

APA Style

Regaig, N., Ghorbel, M., Zribi, I., Jrad, O., Feki, K., Masmoudi, K., & Brini, F. (2026). The SAP Gene Family in Oat (Avena sativa L.): Genome-Wide Identification, Gene Expression Analysis, and Functional Characterization of AvSAP1 in Response to Stress Conditions. Life, 16(1), 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/life16010046

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