DNA-Binding with One Finger (Dof) Transcription Factor Gene Family Study Reveals Differential Stress-Responsive Transcription Factors in Contrasting Drought Tolerance Potato Species

Abstract

DNA-binding with one finger (Dof) proteins comprise a large family that play central roles in stress tolerance by regulating the expression of stress-responsive genes via the DOFCORE element or by interacting with other regulatory proteins. Although the Dof TF has been identified in a variety of species, its systemic analysis in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is lacking and its potential role in abiotic stress responses remains unclear. A total of 36 potential Dof genes in potato were examined at the genomic and transcriptomic levels in this work. Five phylogenetic groups can be formed from these 36 Dof proteins. An analysis of cis-acting elements revealed the potential roles of Dofs in potato development, including under numerous abiotic stress conditions. The cycling Dof factors (CDFs) might be the initial step in the abiotic stress response signaling cascade. In potato, five CDFs (StCDF1/StDof19, StCDF2/StDof4, StCDF3/StDof11, StCDF4/StDof24, and StCDF5/StDof15) were identified, which are homologs of Arabidopsis CDFs. The results revealed that these genes were engaged in a variety of abiotic reactions. Moreover, an expression analysis of StDof genes in two potato cultivars (‘Long10′ (drought tolerant) and ‘DXY’ (drought susceptible)) of contrasting tolerances under drought stress was carried out. Further, a regulatory network mediated by lncRNA and its target Dofs was established. The present study provides fundamental knowledge for further investigation of the roles of Dofs in the adaptation of potato to drought stress, aiming to provide insights into a viable strategy for crop improvement and stress-resistance breeding.

Identification of cis-Acting Elements Recognized by Transcription Factor LlWOX11 in Lilium lancifolium

“…CDFs regulate the expression of MYB60, SP5G by binding to the DOFCOREZM/POLLENILELAT52 motif in its promoters, and are involved in regulating potato tuberization and enhancement of activity in guard cells (Cominelli et al, 2011;Lehretz et al, 2019;Zhang et al, 2023). CDF transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and development (Jin et al, 2024). Therefore, the binding of LlWOX11 to the DOFCOREZM/POLLENILELAT52 motif (Fig.…”

Advances in Molecular Plant Sciences

“…Recent research provided valuable insights into the complex mechanisms governing how plants react to abiotic stressors, offering valuable guidance for developing strategies to improve stress tolerance and enhance crop resilience. The study of Jin et al comprehensively investigated the DNA-binding with one finger (Dof) transcription factor gene family in potato, revealing distinct stress-responsive factors and their regulatory roles under drought conditions [ 30 ]. Through genomic and transcriptomic analyses, five phylogenetic groups of Dof proteins were identified, shedding light on their potential contributions to potato development and drought stress adaptation.…”