SNARE proteins (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) play a key role in mediating a variety of plant biological processes. Currently, the function of the SNARE gene family in phytohormonal and abiotic stress treatments in grapevine is currently unknown, making it worthwhile to characterize and analyze the function and expression of this family in grapevine. In the present study, 52
VvSNARE genes were identified and predominantly distributed on 18 chromosomes. Secondary structures showed that the
VvSNARE genes family irregular random coils and α-helices. The promoter regions of the
VvSNARE genes were enriched for light-, abiotic-stress-, and hormone-responsive elements. Intraspecific collinearity analysis identified 10 pairs collinear genes within the
VvSNARE family and unveiled a greater number of collinear genes between grapevine and apple, as well as
Arabidopsis thaliana, but less associations with
Oryza sativa. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses showed that the
VvSNARE genes have response to treatments with ABA, NaCl, PEG, and 4 °C. Notably,
VvSNARE2,
VvSNARE14,
VvSNARE15, and
VvSNARE17 showed up-regulation in response to ABA treatment.
VvSNARE2,
VvSNARE15,
VvSNARE18,
VvSNARE19,
VvSNARE20,
VvSNARE24,
VvSNARE25, and
VvSNARE29 exhibited significant up-regulation when exposed to NaCl treatment. The PEG treatment led to significant down-regulation of
VvSNARE1,
VvSNARE8,
VvSNARE23,
VvSNARE25,
VvSNARE26,
VvSNARE31, and
VvSNARE49 gene expression. The expression levels of
VvSNARE37,
VvSNARE44, and
VvSNARE46 were significantly enhanced after exposure to 4 °C treatment. Furthermore, subcellular localization assays certified that
VvSNARE37,
VvSNARE44, and
VvSNARE46 were specifically localized at the cell membrane. Overall, this study showed the critical role of the
VvSNARE genes family in the abiotic stress response of grapevines, thereby providing novel candidate genes such as
VvSNARE37,
VvSNARE44, and
VvSNARE46 for further exploration in grapevine stress tolerance research.
Full article