Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Stress-Responsive SNARE Genes in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Plant SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) constitute a large superfamily and play pivotal roles in diverse biological processes and responses to various abiotic stresses. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa wild.) is a nutritionally superior crop endowed with robust tolerance to environmental stresses. In this study, we identified 88 CqSNARE genes in quinoa, which are unevenly distributed across 18 chromosomes and classified into 23 subfamilies. We systematically analyzed their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene and protein structures, and cis-acting elements. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis of quinoa leaves under saline–alkaline stress revealed that CqSNAP30a was the most significantly upregulated. This gene is predominantly expressed in leaves and localized on the plasma membrane. Constitutive expression of CqSNAP30a enhanced plant stress resistance by regulating ion homeostasis and antioxidant capacity. Our findings provide valuable insights into the SNARE genes of stress-tolerant crops and lays a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of stress resilience.