Identification and Characterization of Shaker Potassium Channel Gene Family and Response to Salt and Chilling Stress in Rice

<i>Shaker</i> potassium channel proteins are a class of voltage-gated ion channels responsible for K⁺ uptake and translocation, playing a crucial role in plant growth and salt tolerance. In this study, bioinformatic analysis was performed to identify the members within the <i>Shaker</i> gene family. Moreover, the expression patterns of rice <i>Shaker(OsShaker)</i> K⁺ channel genes were analyzed in different tissues and salt treatment by RT-qPCR. The results revealed that there were eight <i>OsShaker</i> K⁺ channel genes distributed on chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 in rice, and their promoters contained a variety of cis-regulatory elements, including hormone-responsive, light-responsive, and stress-responsive elements, etc. Most of the <i>OsShaker</i> K⁺ channel genes were expressed in all tissues of rice, but at different levels in different tissues. In addition, the expression of <i>OsShaker</i> K⁺ channel genes differed in the timing, organization and intensity of response to salt and chilling stress. In conclusion, our findings provide a reference for the understanding of <i>OsShaker</i> K⁺ channel genes, as well as their potential functions in response to salt and chilling stress in rice.