Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of PERK genes in peanut and revelation of bidirectional immune regulatory function

This study provides the first genome-wide analysis of the PERK family in peanut, revealing its evolutionary features and expression patterns. Crucially, functional characterization demonstrates that peanut PERKs can bidirectionally modulate plant innate immunity, with members acting as either negative or positive regulators. This discovery of their immune regulatory functions offers novel molecular targets for stress-resistance breeding in legume crops.