Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Stress-Responsive SNARE Genes in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Plant SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) constitute a large superfamily and play pivotal roles in diverse biological processes and responses to various abiotic stresses. Quinoa (<i>Chenopodium quinoa</i> wild.) is a nutritionally superior crop endowed with robust tolerance to environmental stresses. In this study, we identified 88 <i>CqSNARE</i> genes in quinoa, which are unevenly distributed across 18 chromosomes and classified into 23 subfamilies. We systematically analyzed their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene and protein structures, and cis-acting elements. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis of quinoa leaves under saline-alkaline stress revealed that <i>CqSNAP30a</i> was the most significantly upregulated. This gene is predominantly expressed in leaves and localized on the plasma membrane. Constitutive expression of <i>CqSNAP30a</i> enhanced plant stress resistance by regulating ion homeostasis and antioxidant capacity. Our findings provide valuable insights into the <i>SNARE</i> genes of stress-tolerant crops and lays a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of stress resilience.