Characterization of the Maize GASA Gene Family and Their Responses to Low-Phosphorus Stress

Gibberellic Acid-Stimulated Arabidopsis (GASA) proteins are cysteine-rich peptides broadly conserved in plants and implicated in growth regulation, stress adaptation, and hormone signaling. Here, we identified 13 <i>GASA</i> genes in the maize genome, distributed across six chromosomes. Comprehensive analyses of their physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, and structural features classified them into three conserved clades. Promoter cis-element analysis suggested roles in developmental regulation, phytohormone responses, abiotic stress adaptation, and light signaling. Comparative synteny revealed close evolutionary relationships between maize and sugarcane <i>GASA</i> genes, implying divergence from a common ancestor. Transcriptomic and qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated that maize GASA genes exhibit tissue-specific and stress-responsive expression under low-phosphorus condition, with <i>ZmGASA06</i> showing pronounced responsiveness to low-phosphorus stress. This study provides novel insights into the evolutionary dynamics and potential functional roles of the GASA family in maize, laying a foundation for further functional and molecular breeding studies.