Comprehensive Atlas of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR Expression During Male Reproductive Development and Abiotic Stress

Abstract

AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF) proteins regulate a wide range of signaling pathways, from general plant growth to abiotic stress responses. Here, we performed a genome-wide survey in wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and identified 69 TaARF members that formed 24 homoeologous groups. Phylogenetic analysis clustered TaARF genes into three clades, similar to ARF genes in Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ) and rice ( Oryza sativa ). Structural characterization suggested that ARF gene structure and domain composition are well conserved between plant species. Expression profiling revealed diverse patterns of TaARF transcript levels across a range of developmental stages, tissues, and abiotic stresses. A number of TaARF genes shared similar expression patterns and were preferentially expressed in anthers. Moreover, our systematic analysis identified three anther-specific TaARF genes ( TaARF8 , TaARF9 , and TaARF21 ) whose expression was significantly altered by low temperature in thermosensitive genic male-sterile (TGMS) wheat; these TaARF genes are candidates to participate in the cold-induced male sterility pathway, and offer potential applications in TGMS wheat breeding and hybrid seed production. Moreover, we identified putative functions for a set of TaARFs involved in responses to abscisic acid and abiotic stress. Overall, this study characterized the wheat ARF gene family and generated several hypotheses for future investigation of ARF function during anther development and abiotic stress.

Identification of ARF family in blueberry and its potential involvement of fruit development and pH stress response

“…1 , twenty five scaffolds harbor one ARF gene, while two ARF genes are separately distributed in each of 10 scaffolds and three ARF s in each of 5 scaffolds. Gene family can be generated from tandem duplication and segmental duplication of chromosomal regions as well as whole-genome duplication (WGD) [ 38 , 39 ]. Tandem duplication is generally defined as two paralogs separated by the distance of 200 kb or less in the same chromosome [ 39 ].…”

Genome-Wide Identification of ARF Gene Family Suggests a Functional Expression Pattern during Fruitlet Abscission in Prunus avium L.

“…ARFs regulate a diverse range of plant behaviours as transcription factors, including development processes and abiotic stress response. In wheat, TaARF8 , TaARF9 , and TaARF2 expression were significantly altered by low temperature in genic male-sterile, and these genes were involved in the cold-induced male sterility pathway [ 22 ]. IbARF5 in sweet potato participates in the synthesis of carotenoids and plays an important regulatory role in salt and drought stress [ 23 ].…”

Molecular Characterization and Target Prediction of Candidate miRNAs Related to Abiotic Stress Responses and/or Storage Root Development in Sweet Potato

“…The potential targets of miR167d and novel 140 are related to hormone biosynthesis or response ( Figure 7 ). The potential target of miR167d is an auxin response factor which has been shown to regulate root formation in other species [ 36 ]. ACCox1 , a potential target of novel 140, is an ethylene biosynthesis gene, indicating that novel 140 is related to ethylene biosynthesis.…”

“…SPL3 , the target of miR156g, belongs to SBP box family, which is an important regulator in recurring environmental stress [ 33 ]. The candidate target of miR167d is an auxin response factor that is reported to be related to salinity tolerance and low-temperature resistance [ 36 ]. The expression of soluble acid invertase gene, the candidate targe of novel 120, has been reported to be impacted by salt, drought and heat stresses [ 44 , 45 , 46 ].…”