Vacuolar processing enzymes (VPEs) are important proteases for the processing and maturation of vacuolar proteins. The VPEs in model plant Arabidopsis have been well researched. However, less is known about this gene family in the crop plant soybean (Glycine max). This study performed genome-wide identification of soybean VPE genes and 7 members were isolated. Their sequence information was firstly collected, and then phylogenetic relationship, chromosome distribution, gene duplication, conserved motifs as well as gene structure were analyzed for further insight into this gene family. The 7 GmVPEs were located on 6 chromosomes, and their encoding proteins were classified into three groups. Collinearity analysis indicated that 5 GmVPEs were involved in gene duplication events and they have undergone purifying selection during evolution. Conserved motif and gene structure analysis revealed the similarity and diversity among the sequences of different GmVPEs. To uncover the possible functions of soybean VPEs, cis-acting elements and TF binding sites on their promoters were identified, the results implied soybean VPE genes might participate in various biological processes and transcriptional regulation pathways. Through analyzing the RNA-Seq data, expression of the soybean VPE genes were found to exhibit spatiotemporal differences, with some being expressed almost ubiquitously, while others being expressed uniquely in seed. Finally, the expression profile analysis indicated that two VPE members, namely GmVPE4 and GmVPE7, likely play key roles in plant response to both biotic and abiotic stresses.

液泡加工酶（VPE）是液泡蛋白加工和成熟的重要蛋白酶。模式植物拟南芥中的 VPE 已得到充分研究。然而，人们对农作物大豆（ Glycine max）中的这个基因家族知之甚少。本研究对大豆VPE基因进行全基因组鉴定，分离出7个成员。首先收集它们的序列信息，然后分析系统发育关系、染色体分布、基因重复、保守基序以及基因结构，以进一步了解该基因家族。 7个GmVPE位于6条染色体上，其编码蛋白分为三类。共线性分析表明，5个GmVPE参与了基因复制事件，并且在进化过程中经历了纯化选择。保守基序和基因结构分析揭示了不同GmVPE序列之间的相似性和多样性。为了揭示大豆VPEs的可能功能，鉴定了其启动子上的顺式作用元件和TF结合位点，结果表明大豆VPE基因可能参与多种生物过程和转录调控途径。通过分析RNA-Seq数据，发现大豆VPE基因的表达表现出时空差异，有些基因几乎普遍表达，而另一些基因则在种子中独特表达。最后，表达谱分析表明两个VPE成员，即GmVPE4和GmVPE7，可能在植物对生物和非生物胁迫的响应中发挥关键作用。