Insights into Immune Gene Prediction and Function Through the Evolutionary History ofADFGene Family

ACTIN DEPOLYMERIZING FACTORS (ADFs) are key regulators of actin cytoskeletal dynamics and plant immunity.

We predicted the potential immune-associated function of 38 genes fromArabidopsisusing gene expression values from 24,123 RNA-Seq datasets and 34 single-cell datasets through machine learning algorithms.

The evolutionary relationships ofADFfamily members from 38 eukaryotic species were evaluated, including an assessment of the sub-function(s) of these members.

Our results show that theADFclade in plant and other kingdoms are separated, withADF3, 5, 7, 9,and10possessing collinear relationships within species, andADF 2,3,4,6,7, and 10possessing evolved, new, sub-functions related to response to Fe, copper-deficiency, and ABA signaling inArabidopsis. Expanded, multiple, roles forADF1,4,and6were also identified.

This study not only provides an analysis of the expanded role for the ADF family of genes/proteins, but also provides insight into, and a framework for, the identification and study of the evolutionary history of genes having putative roles in immune signaling.