Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) participate in the defense responses of plants as well as their growth and development processes, including seed germination. Yet the functioning of TLP family genes, in addition to key details of their encoded protein products, has not been thoroughly investigated for Qingke (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum). Here, a total of 36 TLP genes were identified in the genome of Qingke via HMM profiling. Of them, 25 TLPs contained a signal peptide at the N-terminus, with most proteins predicted to localize in the cytoplasm or outer membrane. Sequence alignment and motif analysis revealed that the five REDDD residues required for β-1,3-glucanase activity were conserved in 21 of the 36 Qingke TLPs. Phylogenetically, the TLPs in plants are clustered in 10 major groups. Our analysis of gene structure did not detect an intron in 15 Qingke TLPs whereas the other 21 did contain 1–7 introns. A diverse set of cis-acting motifs were found in the promoters of the 36 TLPs, including elements related to light, hormone, and stress responses, growth and development, circadian control, and binding sites of transcription factors, thus suggesting a multifaceted role of TLPs in Qingke. Expression analyses revealed the potential involvement of TLPs in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. Taken together, the findings of this study deepen our understanding of the TLP family genes in Qingke, a staple food item in Tibet, which could strengthen future investigations of protein function in barley and its improved genetic engineering.

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters constitute a superfamily of transmembrane transport proteins that are ubiquitously present across prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, exhibiting extensive substrate diversity and significant functional versatility. Yet, systematic genome-wide characterization of ABC transporters in Morchellasextelata remains largely unexplored. Here, a total of 33 ABC transporter genes were identified in M. sextelata and classified into eight subfamilies: ABCA (1), ABCB (7), ABCC (5), ABCD (6), ABCE (1), ABCF (4), ABCG (7), and ABCI (2), based on the features of domain composition and topology. These genes were unevenly distributed across 15 scaffolds, encoding proteins of 276–1626 aa (30.54–180.90 kDa) with pI values of 5.40–9.62 (16 acidic, 17 basic). Subcellular localization predictions indicated 24 MsABCs target the cell membrane, with others localizing to mitochondria, cytoplasm, or nucleus. Motif analysis identified 10 conserved motifs; all members harbor 1–2 copies of Motif 1, corresponding to the ATP-binding/Walker B region of the nucleotide-binding domain. Phylogenetically, ABC transporters form 7 major clades that align tightly with subfamily grouping. Promoter analysis revealed 67 distinct cis-element types grouped into 7 functional categories, with MYB (myeloblastosis) transcription factor binding motifs being the most frequent. Expression profiling showed 20 MsABCs were induced by 10 mg/L potassium selenite; during fruiting body morphogenesis, 19 MsABCs exhibited induced expression at late developmental stages, while nine genes maintained constitutively high expression across all stages. Thirteen MsABCs displayed higher transcript abundance in mycelium, four MsABCs were highly expressed in the stipe, and 14 MsABCs were highly expressed in the pileus. Collectively, our findings elucidate the genetic architecture of the M. sextelata ABC transporter family and delineate their expression dynamics under selenite supplementation, during fruiting body development, and across tissues, thereby establishing a framework for future functional characterization and utilization.