Overlapping annotated genes in GEA and GPA
While, as noted in the section above, there was no overlap in the exact
SNPs identified by GEA and GPA analyses, a few of the associated SNPs
were found to be in the same genes. There were 14 genes identified in
both the GPA for control traits and the GEA (Table 4). One of these is a
ubiquitin-binding gene. Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase, involved in
protein folding, is known to be heat-induced in wheat (Kurek et
al. 1999). Two genes are involved in glycerophospholipid synthesis or
metabolism, suggesting some role related to cell membranes. Aspartyl
proteases, like the one linked to winter precipitation and the number of
stomatal rows, have been linked to the wood formation and to plant
growth and development more generally (Cao et al. 2019).
Butanoate–CoA ligases are often involved in the secondary compound
synthesis (Beuerle & Pichersky 2002) and so could be involved in
defenses against biotic antagonists or other stress responses. There
were 15 genes identified in both the GPA for trait drought
responsiveness and the GEA (Table 5). Most share the same functions as
those in Table 4. Moreover, two overlapping genes are directly related
to the stress response. Gene wsc1 is involved in cell wall biosynthesis
under conditions of stress (Zu et al. 2001; Maddi et al.2012). Gene PAT14 is involved in leaf senescence in response to stresses
(Lai et al. 2015; Zeng et al. 2018). However, several of
the overlapping genes in each table have unknown functions, and most of
these do not match any sequence in the database.