Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the PIN Auxin Transporter Gene Family in Zanthoxylum armatum DC

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Manuscript by Zhou et al reports identification and expression analysis of PIN  gene family in Zanthoxylum armatum. They have identified 16 members of the PIN family in this species and have also carried out various sequence-based analyses such as promotor motif identification, selection pattern in the paralogous gene pairs, and identified orthologous copies of these genes in other related species through synteny analysis. Moreover, they have also analysed the expression pattern of the PIN family genes both in silico as well as through q-PCR. The findings of this study would lay the foundation for the researchers to undertake further study on the role of PIN gene family members in growth and development of Zanthoxylum. There are some minor corrections in the text that should be corrected by the authors.

1.      Oryza sativa has been incorrectly spelled at various places.

2.      The scientific name of all the plant species should be given on their first occurrence in the manuscript. Thereafter, their genus name should be abbreviated.

3.      Arabidopsis should be italicized throughout the manuscript.

4.      At line number 231, Ka/Ks should be >1.

5.      Delete then from the sentence at line 237.

Author Response

We are very grateful to your comments for the manuscript.

Major issues:

Point 1: Oryza sativa has been incorrectly spelled at various places.

Response 1: Thank you for your careful reading of our manuscript. We have amended the manuscript accordingly.

Point 2: The scientific name of all the plant species should be given on their first occurrence in the manuscript. Thereafter, their genus name should be abbreviated.

Response 2: We appreciate your kind suggestions and we have amended the manuscript accordingly.

Point 3: Arabidopsis should be italicized throughout the manuscript.

Response 3: We thanks for your advice. We have italicized Arabidopsis throughout the manuscript.

Point 4: At line number 231, Ka/Ks should be >1.

Response 4: We thanks for your advice. We have modified the line number 231.

Point 5: Delete then from the sentence at line 237.

Response 5: We thanks for your advice. We have deleted then from the sentence at line 237.

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript entitled "Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of The 2 PIN Auxin Transporter Gene Family in Zanthoxylum armatum 3 DC." has been reviewed. The manuscript presents information that is of interest to the readership of Agriculture. The information is well presented, the data analyzed properly and the conclusions drawn, based on the analysis, are sound. However, in my opinion, the paper needs modification with regard to grammatical errors and the English language. Therefore, I would suggest the authors consult a native English speaker to check this MS. Moreover, image quality needs to improve especially in Figures 9 and 10.  

Author Response

We are very grateful to your comments for the manuscript.

Major issues:

Point 1: The paper needs modification with regard to grammatical errors and the English language.

Response 1: Thank you for your careful reading of our manuscript. We have consulted a native English speaker to check this MS. And made the corresponding changes.

Point 2: Moreover, image quality needs to improve especially in Figures 9 and 10.

Response 2: We appreciate your kind suggestions. The quality of our uploaded image should be up to standard. The unclear picture may be due to other factors.

Reviewer 3 Report

The paper entitled “Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of The PIN Auxin Transporter Gene Family in Zanthoxylum armatum DC.” is an original article. The article will contribute to science as well. The study intended to give structural and functional information on the ZaPIN gene family in Zanthoxylum armatum DC.

The nucleus of a paper here. However, I think considerably more work is needed in:

(1) The writing and presentation of the manuscript as a whole, (2) the description and analysis of results, and (3) the overall framing of the work.

Further, the abstract presents an important point of the article.

The introduction needs to be more extended in broad terms for instance cite these articles i.e., 1. DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179175 2. DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084450. Literature from these articles will strengthen the introduction part.

The methodology is modern and enough for this study.

The results and discussion are well written.

The references have to be checked double; all the scientific names should be italic.

Author Response

We are very grateful to your comments for the manuscript.

Major issues:

Point 1: The nucleus of a paper here. However, I think considerably more work is needed in:

(1) The writing and presentation of the manuscript as a whole, (2) the description and analysis of results, and (3) the overall framing of the work.

Response 1: Thank you for your careful reading of our manuscript. We have amended the manuscript accordingly.

Point 2: The introduction needs to be more extended in broad terms for instance cite these articles i.e., 1. DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179175 2. DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084450. Literature from these articles will strengthen the introduction part.

Response 2: We appreciate your kind suggestions and we have amended the manuscript accordingly. We cite this article with DOI: 10.3390/molecules26102978 to expand the introduction more widely.