Identification and evolutional and expression analysis of the GH3 gene family in kidney bean

[Objective] This study aims to explore the characteristics of PvGH3 family members in kidney bean and their roles in abiotic stress, to provide reference for further study of gene function, as well as provides new gene resources for breeding stress tolerant varieties of kidney bean. [Methods] Genome-wide identification of the GH3 gene family in kidney bean was carried out by a bioinformatics approach, and qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of the PvGH3 gene under abiotic stresses. [Results] 19 PvGH3 genes were identified in kidney bean, of which 17 genes were unevenly distributed on eight chromosomes, and the remaining two genes were localized on scafford and could not be precisely located. These genes could be classified into three subfamilies, with members of each subfamily sharing similar gene structure and conserved motif. There were three paralogous pairs among the members, and 15 orthologous pairs with Arabidopsis. The 19 PvGH3 were up-regulated in response to drought (6% PEG), salt (100 mmol/L NaCl), and low temperature (4 ℃). [Conclusion] 19 PvGH3 genes were identified in kidney bean. qRT-PCR assays showed that these PvGH3 genes respond to abiotic stresses to different degrees, which provided basis for the analysis of stress tolerance of PvGH3.