Exploring the Roles of TALE Gene Family in Maize Drought Stress Responses

Abstract

The TALE gene family plays a crucial role in regulating growth, development, and abiotic stress responses in plants. However, limited studies have been conducted on the functions of the ZmTALE gene family in maize under drought stress. This study identified 40 members of the ZmTALE family within the maize genome through Blast comparisons, distributed unevenly across the first nine chromosomes. Intraspecific collinearity analysis revealed 13 linked pairs. By constructing a phylogenetic tree with Arabidopsis AtTALE members as references, maize members were divided into two subfamilies, KNOX and BEL1-Like, with KNOX further divided into three branches (KNOX Class I, KNOX Class II, and KNOX Class III). The gene structure and motifs of ZmTALE genes within the same subfamily or branch showed similarities, as did their encoded proteins, which possess similar motifs and conserved domains. Analysis of the physicochemical properties of the ZmTALE proteins revealed that the proteins encoded by this family are stable. Expression analysis of ZmTALE genes in maize demonstrated their varied roles in development and drought stress regulation, confirmed through qRT-PCR. The identification, characterization, and expression analysis of ZmTALE genes provide a reference for future gene function research and aid in the genetic enhancement of maize to withstand drought stress.