The night-time stomatal opening and CO₂ uptake and fixation characteristics of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) plants are desirable traits that can be transferred to confer drought tolerance to C3 plants, such as rice, wheat, potatoes, and beans. Protein kinases (PKs) play important roles in these processes. However, only a few PKs have been studied.

Scientist Zong-Ming Cheng from Nanjing Agricultural University and colleagues performed RNA data analysis to identify and characterize PKs in pineapple. They further identified PKs involved in CAM photosynthesis. Results showed 758 identified PK genes, which were classified into 20 groups and 116 families based on domain sequences. Gene duplication and alternative splicing, which function in stress response, were found. Significant results include PKs expressed differently in the leaves from other tissues and PKs expressed at different times of the day. These PKs may have roles in CAM photosynthesis.

For more information, read the article in BMC Plant Biology.