The Evolutionary History and Diverse Physiological Roles of the Grapevine Calcium-dependent Protein Kinase Gene Family

Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are molecular switches that bind Ca²⁺, ATP, and protein substrates, acting as sensor relays and responders that convert Ca²⁺ signals, created by developmental processes and environmental stresses, into phosphorylation events. The precise functions of the CDPKs in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) are largely unknown. We therefore investigated the phylogenetic relationships and expression profiles among the 17 CDPK genes identified in the 12x grapevine genome sequence, resolving them into four subfamilies based on phylogenetic tree topology and gene structures. The origins of the CDPKs during grapevine evolution were characterized, involving 13 expansion events. Transcriptomic analysis using 54 tissues and developmental stages revealed three types of CDPK gene expression profiles: constitutive (housekeeping CDPKs), partitioned functions, and pollen/stamen-specific CDPKs. We identified three duplicated CDPK genes that had evolved from housekeeping to pollen-specific functions and whose origin correlated with that of seed plants, suggesting neofunctionalization with an important role in pollen development and also potential value in the breeding of seedless varieties. We also found that CDPKs were involved in three abiotic stress signaling pathways and could therefore be used to investigate the crosstalk between stress responses.