Abstract:
【Objective】 This study aimed to identify the members of AP2/EREBP transcription factor family of
Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin and analyze their expression, so as to lay a theoretical basis for studying its transcriptional regulation mechanism of natural rubber. 【Method】 Members of AP2/EREBP transcription factor family of
Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin were identified. The subfamily classification, promoter cis-acting element analysis, protein conserved motif analysis, and conserved structural domain analysis of the AP2/EREBP family of
Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin were conducted using bioinformatics methods. Methyl jasminate (MeJA) was used to treat root tissues of
Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin to collect data of differential expression of the family members at different treatment times. Three genes with significantly differential expressions (
P<0.05) were selected for tissue-specific expression analysis. 【Result】 A total of 228 members of the AP2/EREBP transcription factor family were identified, including 31 members in the AP2 subfamily, 1 member in RAV subfamily, 92 members in ERF subfamily, 91 members in DREB subfamily, and 13 members in other subfamilies. According to their genomic OriID sizes, the genes were named
TkAP21-
TkAP231,
TkRAV1,
TkERF1-
TkERF92,
TkDREB1-
TkDREB91, and
TkAP2EREBP1-
TkAP2EREBP13, respectively. The results of subcellular localization prediction revealed that among the 228 family members, 129 members were localized only in the nucleus, 14 members were loca-lized only in the cytoplasm, and the remaining members were localized in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. The 228 members did not possess transmembrane structures or signal peptides, and their the characteristics of conserved structural domains and conserved motifs were basically consistent with its evolutionary relationships, implying that they contained a large number of promoter cis-acting elements associated with growth, development, and stress responses. Three family members with significantly differential expressions after MeJA treatments were selected for expression analysis: the expressions of the
TkDREB62 and
TkERF84 genes in leaves were extremely significant (
P<0.01,
P<0.001) or significant (
P<0.05) higher than those in other tissues; the expression of the
TkERF91 gene in leaves and roots were extremely significantly higher than those in flowers and peduncles (
P<0.001); the expression of the
TkERF91 gene in leaves, peduncles, and roots was extremely significantly higher than those of the
TkDREB62 and
TkERF84 genes (
P<0.001). 【Conclusion】
Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin possesses 228 members in the AP2/EREBP transcription factor family, with the DREB and ERF as its predominant subfamilies. The domain-based subfamily classification is consistent with the phylogenetic tree based on protein sequence differences: the family members in each subfamilies share consistency in their promoter cis-elements, protein conserved domains, and conserved motifs, while exhibiting difference across subfamilies; significant differences are found in the characteristics of gene tissue-specific expression and expression level after MeJA induction.