Genome-Wide Characterization of the Heat Shock Transcription Factor Gene Family in Reveals Promising Candidates for Heat Tolerance

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Date 2025 Jan 11

PMID 39796031

Authors

Shengzhou Guo

Hao Chen

Hongwei Wu

Zuyuan Xu

Hao Yang

Qinmin Lin

Hanyu Feng

Zilu Zeng

Sanjiao Wang

Haolin Liu

Xiaomin Liu

Shijiang Cao

Kang Wang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Heat stress transcription factors (HSFs) play a critical role in orchestrating cellular responses to elevated temperatures and various stress conditions. While extensively studied in model plants, the gene family in remains unexplored, despite the availability of its sequenced genome. In this study, we employed bioinformatics approaches to identify 21 genes within the genome, revealing their uneven distribution across chromosomes. These genes were categorized into three subfamilies: A, B, and C. Each was characterized by conserved protein motifs and gene structures, with notable divergence observed between subfamilies. Collinearity analysis suggested that segmental duplication events have driven the evolutionary expansion of the gene family. Promoter region analysis identified an array of cis-acting elements linked to growth, development, hormonal regulation, and stress responses. Subcellular localization experiments confirmed the nuclear localization of , , and , consistent with in silico predictions. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analyses revealed tissue-specific expression patterns of genes and their dynamic responses to heat stress, with qPCR validation highlighting a significant upregulation of under high-temperature conditions. In summary, this study provided a comprehensive characterization of the gene family in , laying a solid foundation for future functional studies. Particularly, emerges as a promising candidate gene for enhancing heat tolerance in , warranting further detailed investigation.

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