Systematic identification, characterization, and expression analysis of rice strubbelig-receptor family genes associated with fluroxypyr-meptyl and oxyfluorfen metabolism

Strubbelig-receptor family (SRF) proteins are involved in various metabolic and signaling activities in plants, including abiotic stress tolerance; however, their function in rice under pesticide stress remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we examined the traits and roles of the rice SRF gene family under pesticide exposure. Twelve SRF genes and one differentially expressed SRF gene were identified via transcriptome analysis of rice treated with oxyfluorfen (OFF) and fluroxypyr-meptyl (FLUME). Phylogenetic analysis grouped these genes into four subfamilies: SRF-I–IV. Chromosomal mapping showed that the 12 SRF genes were unevenly distributed across 6 chromosomes, and segmental duplication contributed to gene family expansion. Five orthologous gene pairs within rice were identified using collinearity analysis, along with additional orthologs shared with other species: 1 with Arabidopsis , 11 with soybean, 27 with maize, and 39 with wheat. In silico subcellular localization predicted that all 12 encoded proteins localize to the cell membrane. Diverse SRF gene architectures, cis -acting elements, motifs, and conserved domains enabling responses to abiotic and biotic stress were found through structural analysis. Docking studies of FLUME and OFF with the 12 SRF proteins identified key amino acid residues involved in pesticide binding. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction confirmed preferential expression of the 12 SRF genes under FLUME- and OFF-induced stress. The SRF’s role in FLUME and OFF metabolism was further supported by protein–protein interaction network analysis. Overall, these results improve our understanding of SRF functions and offer useful tools for investigating its roles in pesticide metabolism.