Characterization of Dynamin-related proteins (DRP) in bread wheat: TaDRP1D-B as regulator of biotic and abiotic stresses

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a vital global staple food, providing 30 % of the world's caloric intake and nutritional needs. It was domesticated over 10,000 years ago and adapted to various biotic and abiotic stresses, crucial for maintaining food security. Modern research highlights the interconnected signalling pathways for both biotic and abiotic stresses, that help wheat cope with these biotic and abiotic stresses. Identification of regulatory proteins is essential for advanced wheat breeding. In the current study, 32 DRP genes in wheat were identified that are evenly distributed on all the chromosomes with the presence of conserved dynamin-related domain. PPI analysis reveals that the TaDRP2-like genes interact with each other. Gene ontology analysis indicating the significant involvement of DRP genes in various processes including GTPase activity, binding, microtubule binding, and various cells including membrane (GO:0,016,020), cytoplasm (GO:0,005,737), microtubule (GO:0,005,874). Cis-element prediction reveals the enrichment of total 2006 elements including CAAT-box (390), TATA-box (327), MYB (131), and ABRE (93). Transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses showed that TaDRP1-like, TaDRP2-like, and TaDRP3-like genes are highly expressed in roots, stems, leaves, and spikes, with lower expression in grains. Notably, TaDRP1D-B emerged as a potential candidate for enhancing resistance to powdery mildew, rust, drought, and heat stress. Furthermore, the interaction compatibility of TaDRP1D-B with PPA2 further confirms the potential role in regulating plant disease response. This research provides a foundation for developing strategies to enhance wheat resilience, directly contributing to global food security.