Genome-Wide Identification of the ERF Transcription Factor Family for Structure Analysis, Expression Pattern, and Response to Drought Stress in Populus alba × Populus glandulosa

Abstract

The Ethylene Responsive Factor (ERF) transcription factor family is important for regulating plant growth and stress responses. Although the expression patterns of ERF family members have been reported in many plant species, their role in Populus alba × Populus glandulosa, an important model plant for forest research, remains unclear. In this study, we identified 209 PagERF transcription factors by analyzing the P. alba × P. glandulosa genome. We analyzed their amino acid sequences, molecular weight, theoretical pI (Isoelectric point), instability index, aliphatic index, grand average of hydropathicity, and subcellular localization. Most PagERFs were predicted to localize in the nucleus, with only a few PagERFs localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Phylogenetic analysis divided the PagERF proteins into ten groups, Class I to X, with those belonging to the same group containing similar motifs. Cis-acting elements associated with plant hormones, abiotic stress responses, and MYB binding sites were analyzed in the promoters of PagERF genes. We used transcriptome data to analyze the expression patterns of PagERF genes in different tissues of P. alba × P. glandulosa, including axillary buds, young leaves, functional leaves, cambium, xylem, and roots, and the results indicated that PagERF genes are expressed in all tissues of P. alba × P. glandulosa, especially in roots. Quantitative verification results were consistent with transcriptome data. When P. alba × P. glandulosa seedlings were treated with 6% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000), the results of RT-qRCR showed that nine PagERF genes responded to drought stress in various tissues. This study provides a new perspective on the roles of PagERF family members in regulating plant growth and development, and responses to stress in P. alba × P. glandulosa. Our study provides a theoretical basis for ERF family research in the future.

Comprehensive Genome-Wide Analyses of Poplar R2R3-MYB Transcription Factors and Tissue-Specific Expression Patterns under Drought Stress

“…The remaining 204 R2R3-MYB proteins were unstable (instability index > 40) and they were randomly distributed in each subgroup. This instability of R2R3-MYBs in poplar is similar in other transcription factor families, such as TIFY [ 29 ], ERF [ 30 ], and E2F-DP [ 31 ]. In addition, the grand average of hydropathicity (GRAVY) of all proteins in this family was less than 0, illustrating that these 210 R2R3-MYB proteins might be all hydrophilic proteins.…”

Unraveling the Guardians of Growth: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Aux/IAA and ARF Gene Families in Populus simonii

“…The exploration of gene structure and protein motif analysis within PsIAAs and PsARFs will facilitate an improved comprehension of their unique functions in development and growth processes [37]. The observation revealed that the majority of PsIAAs and PsARFs shared comparable exon-intron configurations within corresponding phylogenetic clusters.…”

Genome-Wide Analysis of Strictosidine Synthase-like Gene Family Revealed Their Response to Biotic/Abiotic Stress in Poplar

“…In general, the various defense responses of plants depend on a transcriptional regulatory network consisting of top-level transcription factors (TFs) and bottom-level structural genes [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. To date, a wide range of plant stress-response TFs and structural genes have been identified from different plant species that are important for maintaining plant identity, adapting to environmental changes, and supporting plant growth [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. The plant strictosidine synthase-like ( SSL ) genes are a kind of gene closely related to plant immune regulation; they share a similar extracellular structural domain (of ca.…”