Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of the FORMIN Gene Family Implies Their Potential Functions in Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Rice (Oryza sativa)

FORMIN proteins, which contain FH1 and FH2 domains, play crucial roles in the growth and development of organisms. However, the functions of FORMINs in rice (Oryza sativa) remain largely unclear. In this study, a total of 17 FORMIN genes in rice genome were identified, and their distribution on chromosomes, gene structure, as well as protein structure were investigated. According to their protein structural and phylogenetic features, these 17 rice FORMIN genes were classified into two distinct subfamilies. The results of subcellular localization prediction showed that rice FORMINs were located in cytosol, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum, extracellular, or vacuole. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) prediction results showed that FORMIN proteins might answer hormone signals and be involved in cytoskeleton dynamics regulation and cell wall morphology regulation. The gene expression analysis by using qRT-PCR indicated that a number of rice FORMIN genes were induced by auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Importantly, some of the FORMIN genes also exhibited cadmium (Cd) and drought stress-responding expression patterns, suggesting that FORMIN genes may play roles in rice while dealing with drought or Cd stress. Overall, our research may shed light on the understanding of the biological functions of rice FORMINs.