Abstract
DNA binding with one finger (DOF) proteins are plant-specific transcription factors that play roles in diverse plant functions. However, little is known about the DOF protein repertoire of the allopolyploid crop, Brassica napus. This in silico study identified 117 Brassica napus Dof genes (BnaDofs) and classified them into nine groups (A, B1, B2, C1, C2.1, C2.2, C3, D1, and D2), based on phylogenetic analysis. Most members belonging to a particular group displayed conserved gene structural organisation and protein motif distribution. Evolutionary analysis exemplified that the divergence of the Brassica genus from Arabidopsis, the whole-genome triplication event, and the hybridisation of Brassica oleracea and Brassica rapa to form B. napus, followed by gene loss and rearrangements, led to the expansion and divergence of the Dof transcription factor (TF) gene family in B. napus. So far, this is the largest number of Dof genes reported in a single eudicot species. Functional annotation of BnaDof proteins, cis-element analysis of their promoters, and transcriptomic analysis suggested potential roles in organ development, the transition from the vegetative to the reproductive stage, light responsiveness, phytohormone responsiveness, as well as potential regulatory roles in abiotic stress. Overall, our results provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular structure, evolution, and possible functional roles of Dof genes in plant development and abiotic stress response.
Highlights
Brassica napus, the second-largest economically important oilseed crop, is used as edible oil and livestock forage, and in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biofuel industries [1]
The Brassica napus Dof genes (BnaDofs) were distributed on all 19 chromosomes, with 60 BnaDofs located on A genome (48 on chromosomes A01–A10), 56 situated on C genome (40 on chromosomes C01–C09), and one gene placed on an unknown chromosome (BnaDof117; BnaUnng03510D)
The BnaDof s were classified into nine groups: A, B1, B2, C1, C2.1, C2.2, C3, D1, and D2 based on the phylogenetic analysis
Summary
The second-largest economically important oilseed crop, is used as edible oil and livestock forage, and in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biofuel industries [1]. Dissecting the evolution and function of diverged plant-specific transcription factor (TF) families such as DNA binding with one finger (DOF) is required for gaining fundamental knowledge about the mechanisms underlying stress responses in B. napus and for developing stress-tolerant varieties for climate-smart agriculture. The DOF TFs are plant-specific transcription factors, first identified in maize in 1995, and were shown to play an essential role in regulating carbon metabolism-related and lightregulated genes [3,4,5]. A diverse number of DOF TFs have been identified in several plants, including 36, 30, and 96 in Arabidopsis, rice, and wheat, respectively [6,7,8]. In Arabidopsis, the first protein–protein interaction of DOF domain protein with bZIP protein associated with the stress response was reported, indicating the potential role of DOF TFs in complex regulatory networks [9]
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