Identification and expression analysis of ARID transcription factor family in maize

【Objective】The purpose of the study was to identify family members of maize ARID transcription factors and perform expression analysis to provide theoretical reference for further research on the biological functions of ARID transcription factors and maize genetic breeding. 【Method】The amino acid sequences of seven ARID transcription factor family members were obtained from the Arabidopsis thaliana database TAIR, and homologous alignment was performed with the encoded proteins in the maize genome to identify the members of the maize ARID transcription factor family. Bioinformatics methods were used to predict and analyze their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic evolution, cisacting elements in the promoter region, tissue expression pattern during growth period and protein interaction networks.And real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect its expression patterns under hormone treatment and low temperature stress. 【Result】Twelve members of ARID transcription factor family in maize were identified, named ZmARID1-ZmARID12, with 448-1875 encoded amino acids, all of which were hydrophilic proteins. Except for ZmARID12, all other proteins were unstable proteins. Except for ZmARID2, ZmARID4, ZmARID9, and ZmARID10 proteins, which were located in the chloroplast and nucleus, ZmARID12, which was located in the chloroplast and cytoplasm, and ZmARID1, which was located in the chloroplast, the rest of the members were located in the nucleus. The promoter region of the maize ARID family gene contained not only multiple light response elements(G-box, Sp1, GATAmotif, Box 4, MRE, AE-box), but also methyl jasmonate(MeJA) response elements(CGTCA-motif), abscisic acid(ABA) response elements(ABRE), gibberellin(GA) response elements(GARE-motif, TATC-box), auxin(IAA) response elements(TGA-element, AuxRR-core), and salicylic acid(SA) response elements(TCA-element). ZmARID1 gene exhibited increased expression level in the endosperm at 12 d after pollination(12 DAP). Except for ZmARID1 and ZmARID3 genes, the rest of the members displayed high expression levels in the primordia of 2-4 mm and 6-8 mm ear lengths. The expression level of ZmARID3 gene was high in mature leaves and vegetative meristem. ZmARID5, ZmARID6 and ZmARID11 genes were expressed at high levels in mature leaves, indicating that the expression of some family members were specific for tissue. The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detection results showed that after GA treatment, the relative expression of ZmARID12 gene was significantly up-regulated compared to the control(P<0.05,the same below). The relative expression of ARID family genes were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated under ABA treatment, but under IAA, JA, SA and low temperature stress treatments, the relative expression of ARID family genes showed an overall downward trend. 【Conclusion】The maize ARID family members exhibit obvious tissue expression specificity throughout the whole growth period and play important roles in responding to multiple hormones and low temperature stress.