Department of Production engineering and Plant Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
10.22034/pgr.2026.2095430.1042
Abstract
Plant defensins are among the most important families of antimicrobial peptides involved in plant defense against pathogens. This study aimed to identify, sequence, and characterize the structural, evolutionary, and functional features of the defensin gene family in three cultivars of common bean (Phaseolusvulgaris L.). Defensin genes were identified through homology searches against the reference bean genome, and gene-specific primers were subsequently designed. Following genomic DNA extraction, the target genes were amplified by PCR and sequenced using the Sanger method. Gene and protein characteristics were analyzed using bioinformatics tools. Phylogenetic relationships, predicted antimicrobial activity, and gene expression patterns under different conditions were also investigated. The results revealed the presence of 10 defensin genes distributed across 4 chromosomes of the common bean genome. The coding sequences of all identified genes were completely conserved among the three cultivars. All predicted proteins contained the characteristic Knot1 domain, an N-terminal signal peptide, eight conserved cysteine residues, the -core motif. Computational analyses also confirmed the high antimicrobial potential of these proteins. Phylogenetic and in silico expression analyses demonstrated that members of the defensin gene family exhibit distinct evolutionary and regulatory patterns, with PvDef3 and PvDef8 showing the strongest responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the defensin gene family in common bean and offers useful genetic resources for breeding disease-resistant cultivars and advancing future biotechnological applications.
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Neisi,Y , Sohrabi,S M and Sorkheh,K . (2026). Identification, Sequencing, and Characterization of the Defensin Gene Family Members in Three Cultivars of Common Bean (Phaseolusvulgaris L.). Plant Genetic Research, 13(1), 155-174. doi: 10.22034/pgr.2026.2095430.1042
MLA
Neisi,Y , , Sohrabi,S M , and Sorkheh,K . "Identification, Sequencing, and Characterization of the Defensin Gene Family Members in Three Cultivars of Common Bean (Phaseolusvulgaris L.)", Plant Genetic Research, 13, 1, 2026, 155-174. doi: 10.22034/pgr.2026.2095430.1042
HARVARD
Neisi Y, Sohrabi S M, Sorkheh K. (2026). 'Identification, Sequencing, and Characterization of the Defensin Gene Family Members in Three Cultivars of Common Bean (Phaseolusvulgaris L.)', Plant Genetic Research, 13(1), pp. 155-174. doi: 10.22034/pgr.2026.2095430.1042
CHICAGO
Y Neisi, S M Sohrabi and K Sorkheh, "Identification, Sequencing, and Characterization of the Defensin Gene Family Members in Three Cultivars of Common Bean (Phaseolusvulgaris L.)," Plant Genetic Research, 13 1 (2026): 155-174, doi: 10.22034/pgr.2026.2095430.1042
VANCOUVER
Neisi Y, Sohrabi S M, Sorkheh K. Identification, Sequencing, and Characterization of the Defensin Gene Family Members in Three Cultivars of Common Bean (Phaseolusvulgaris L.). Plant Genet. Res.. 2026;13(1):155-174 (In Persian). doi: 10.22034/pgr.2026.2095430.1042
