Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the class III peroxidase gene (PRXIII) family in Medicago sativa L. and its function in the abiotic stress response

Peroxidase (POD) is a widespread and highly active enzyme in plants that plays an important role in plant growth and development and stress response. No genome-wide analysis and characterization of the POD gene family in alfalfa has been performed yet. In this study, we used bioinformatics techniques to identify 343 members of this family in alfalfa and performed predictive analyses of their physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, phylogenetic relationships and conserved motifs. Expression analysis showed that 58 of the 343 genes were specifically expressed. Expression pattern analysis under different stresses showed that the MsPOD gene family was responsive to salt stress, cold stress, and drought stress, and there were genes responsive to multiple stresses. Among them, 24 MsPOD genes responded to all three stresses. Understanding the expression patterns of alfalfa MsPOD family members can enhance alfalfa's ability to resist abiotic stresses, thereby providing a theoretical basis for increasing alfalfa yield under adverse conditions.