Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of the cultivated peanut AhPR10 gene family mediating resistance to Aspergillus flavus

The pathogenesis-related protein PR10 plays a vital role in plant growth, development, and stress responses. This study systematically identified and analyzed PR10 genes in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), examining their phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, gene structures, and syntenic relationships. The analysis identified 54 AhPR10 genes, which were classified into eight groups based on phylogenetic relationships, supported by gene structure and conserved motif characterization. Analysis of chromosomal distribution and synteny demonstrated that segmental duplications played a crucial role in the expansion of the AhPR10 gene family. The identified AhPR10 genes exhibited both constitutive and inducible expression patterns. Significantly, AhPR10-7, AhPR10-33, and AhPR10-41 demonstrated potential importance in peanut resistance to Aspergillus flavus. In vitro fungistatic experiments demonstrated that recombinant AhPR10-33 effectively inhibited A. flavus mycelial growth. These findings provide valuable insights for future investigations into AhPR10 functions in protecting peanut from A. flavus infection.