Identification and Characterization of the BZR Transcription Factor Genes Family in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and Their Expression Profiles in Response to Abiotic Stresses

Abstract

Brassinazole resistant (BZR) genes act downstream of the brassinosteroid signaling pathway regulating plant growth and development and participating in plant stress responses. However, the BZR gene family has not systematically been characterized in potato. We identified eight BZR genes in Solanum tuberosum, which were distributed among seven chromosomes unequally and were classified into three subgroups. Potato and tomato BZR proteins were shown to be closely related with high levels of similarity. The BZR gene family members in each subgroup contained similar conserved motifs. StBZR genes exhibited tissue-specific expression patterns, suggesting their functional differentiation during evolution. StBZR4, StBZR7, and StBZR8 were highly expressed under white light in microtubers. StBZR1 showed a progressive up-regulation from 0 to 6 h and a progressive down-regulation from 6 to 24 h after drought and salt stress. StBZR1, StBZR2, StBZR4, StBZR5, StBZR6, StBZR7 and StBZR8 were significantly induced from 0 to 3 h under BR treatment. This implied StBZR genes are involved in phytohormone and stress response signaling pathways. Our results provide a theoretical basis for understanding the functional mechanisms of BZR genes in potato.