Genome-wide identification, phylogenetic and expression pattern analysis of Dof transcription factors in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Abstract

Background DNA binding with one finger (Dof) proteins are plant-specific transcription factor (TF) that plays a significant role in various biological processes such as plant growth and development, hormone regulation, and resistance to abiotic stress. The Dof genes have been identified and reported in multiple plants, but so far, the whole genome identification and analysis of Dof transcription factors in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) have not been reported yet. Methods Using the Vaccinium genome, we have identified 51 VcDof genes in blueberry. We have further analyzed their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, collinear analysis, selective evolutionary pressure, cis-acting promoter elements, and tissue and abiotic stress expression patterns. Results Fifty-one VcDof genes were divided into eight subfamilies, and the genes in each subfamily contained similar gene structure and motif ordering. A total of 24 pairs of colinear genes were screened; VcDof genes expanded mainly due to whole-genome duplication, which was subjected to strong purifying selection pressure during the evolution. The promoter of VcDof genes contains three types of cis-acting elements for plant growth and development, phytohormone and stress defense responsiveness. Expression profiles of VcDof genes in different tissues and fruit developmental stages of blueberry indicated that VcDof2 and VcDof45 might play a specific role in anthesis and fruit growth and development. Expression profiles of VcDof genes in different stress indicated that VcDof1, VcDof11, and VcDof15 were highly sensitive to abiotic stress. This study provides a theoretical basis for further clarifying the biological function of Dof genes in blueberry.

Transcription factor ZmDof22 enhances drought tolerance by regulating stomatal movement and antioxidant enzyme activities in maize (Zea mays L.)

“…We also found that these genes were constitutively expressed in multiple tissues and organs (Figure 2). This is consistent with the experimental results of high expression levels of Dof transcription factors of blueberries and peppers (Li et al 2022;Wu et al 2016). The different expression patterns of ZmDofs in maize indicate that functional differentiation may have occurred among the ZmDof family genes during a long evolutionary process, providing new biological functions for genetic sources.…”

Genome-Wide Investigation of the NAC Transcription Factor Family in Apocynum venetum Revealed Their Synergistic Roles in Abiotic Stress Response and Trehalose Metabolism

“…Our research found that there were multiple TFBSs in the promoter region of AvNAC genes, among which AvNAC58 was simultaneously targeted by Dof, ERF, BBR_BPC, bZIP, bHLH, TCP and MYB family for a total of 206 TFs, which was the most abundant (Figure 11 and Supplementary Table S5). Dof, AP2/ERF, bZIP, MYB and bHLH TFs play important regulatory roles in various abiotic stresses [43][44][45][46][47]. These results supported that AvNAC58 and AvNAC69 are involved in drought and salt stress responses, and they may have different mechanisms of action under various stresses.…”

Identification and functional analysis of the DOF gene family in Populus simonii: implications for development and stress response

“…During this study, we identified active elements, including light responsive, hormone responsive, and abiotic stress responsive elements, within PSDOFs . These elements play crucial roles in plant growth and development, closely resembling the cis-acting elements analyzed in wheat ( Liu et al., 2020 ), lotus ( Cao et al., 2022 ), and blueberry ( Li et al., 2022b ). These studies also indicate that the composition of DOF gene promoter elements is relatively conserved, and the associated DOF genes play roles in growth, development, and stress responses.…”