Genome-Wide Identification and Abiotic Stress-Responsive Expression of the DMP Gene Family in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production faces significant challenges from environmental stresses, necessitating the identification of functional genes to enhance crop resilience. The DUF679 membrane protein (DMP) family has been recently recognized for its diverse associations with plant development and stress adaptation, although much of the current research has focused on its involvement in doubled haploid (DH) technology in species such as maize and Arabidopsis. This study performed a comprehensive genome-wide analysis to characterize the 19-member OsDMP family in rice, integrating bioinformatics methods to analyze their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, and chromosomal distribution, complemented by qRT-PCR to validate expression patterns under abiotic stress and transient expression assays to verify subcellular localization of one representative member (OsDMP16). Our analysis classified OsDMP genes into four of five subfamilies, revealing significant functional diversification and closer evolutionary ties with other monocots. Furthermore, promoter analysis revealed abundant stress- and hormone-responsive cis-acting elements, correlating with diverse tissue-specific expression and significant responses to drought, salt, and hormonal stimuli. These findings provide a robust framework for understanding OsDMP evolution and expression regulation, revealing transcriptional responsiveness to abiotic stress and providing candidate genes for future functional validation and application in breeding programs.