Characterization of the Calmodulin/Calmodulin-like Protein (CAM/CML) Family in Ginkgo biloba , and the Influence of an Ectopically Expressed GbCML Gene ( Gb_30819 ) on Seedling and Fruit Development of Transgenic Arabidopsis

Calmodulins (CAMs) and calmodulin-like proteins (CMLs) can participate in the regulation of various physiological processes via sensing and decoding Ca signals. To reveal the characteristics of the CAM/CML family in , a comprehensive analysis was performed at the genome-wide level. A total of 26 s, consisting of 5 s and 21 s, was identified on 11 out of 12 chromosomes in . They displayed a certain degree of multiplicity in their sequences, albeit with conserved EF hands. Collinearity analysis suggested that tandem rather than segmental or whole-genome duplications were likely to play roles in the evolution of the family. Furthermore, s were grouped into higher, lower, and moderate expression in magnitude. The cis-acting regulatory elements involved in phytohormone-responsiveness within promotors may explain their varied expression profiles. The ectopic expression of a gene ( ) in transgenic led to phenotypes with significantly shortened root length and seedling height, and decreased yields of both pods and seeds. Moreover, an electrophoresis mobility shift assay demonstrated the Ca -binding activity of Gb_30819 in vitro. Altogether, these results contribute to insights into the characteristics of the evolution and expression of s, as well as evidence for Ca -CAM/CML pathways functioning within the ancient gymnosperm .