Welcome to Acta Prataculturae Sinica ! Today is Share:

Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2024, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (11): 106-122.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2023490

Previous Articles    

Identification of the BZR gene family in alfalfa and analysis of its transcriptional responses to abiotic stress

Ze-bin LI2(), Yong-zheng QIU2, Yan-jie LIU2, Jin-qiu YU1, Bai-ji WANG1, Qian-ning LIU1, Yue WANG1,2(), Guo-wen CUI1()   

  1. 1.College of Animal Science and Technology,Northeast Agricultural University,Harbin 150030,China
    2.College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture,Northeast Agricultural University,Harbin 150030,China
  • Received:2023-12-19 Revised:2024-02-14 Online:2024-11-20 Published:2024-09-09
  • Contact: Yue WANG,Guo-wen CUI

Abstract:

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a class of steroid hormones that influence various developmental and physiological processes in plants. Members of the BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT (BZR) transcription factor family are positive regulators of brassinosteroid biosynthesis. The BZR gene family plays a crucial role in regulating plant growth and development, including various aspects of stress resistance. However, the BZR gene family in alfalfa (Medicago sativa), which is known as the ‘king of forages’, has not been thoroughly studied. In this study, we identified 14 BZR genes in alfalfa, and used bioinformatics tools to analyze the physicochemical properties and secondary and tertiary structures of their encoded proteins. The chromosomal locations, phylogenetic relationships, structures, conserved domains, promoter cis-acting elements, gene family interactions, and transcript levels of the 14 genes in six different tissues of alfalfa, as well as their transcriptional responses to abiotic stresses, were also determined. We found that all 14 BZR genes were expressed in various tissues of alfalfa, with nine genes responding to cold stress, seven responding to salt stress, and seven genes responding drought stress. Notably, three BZR genes (MsBZR05MsBZR06and MsBZR12) responded to all three types of stress. The results of this study highlight candidate genes for further research on the BZR gene family.

Key words: BZR gene family, Medicago sativa, bioinformatics analysis, abiotic stress, expression analysis