AUTHOR=Yu Liyang , Hui Cai , Huang Ruimin , Wang Dongsheng , Fei Cao , Guo Chunlei , Zhang Jingzheng 

TITLE=Genome-wide identification, evolution and transcriptome analysis of GRAS gene family in Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.1080759

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2022.1080759

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>GRAS transcription factors play an important role in regulating various biological processes in plant growth and development. However, their characterization and potential function are still vague in Chinese chestnut (<italic>Castanea mollissima</italic>), an important nut with rich nutrition and high economic value. In this study, 48 <italic>CmGRAS</italic> genes were identified in Chinese chestnut genome and phylogenetic analysis divided <italic>CmGRAS</italic> genes into nine subfamilies, and each of them has distinct conserved structure domain and features. Genomic organization revealed that <italic>CmGRAS</italic> tend to have a representative GRAS domain and fewer introns. Tandem duplication had the greatest contribution for the <italic>CmGRAS</italic> expansion based on the comparative genome analysis, and <italic>CmGRAS</italic> genes experienced strong purifying selection pressure based on the <italic>Ka/Ks</italic>. Gene expression analysis revealed some <italic>CmGRAS</italic> members with potential functions in bud development and ovule fertility. <italic>CmGRAS</italic> genes with more homologous relationships with reference species had more <italic>cis</italic>-acting elements and higher expression levels. Notably, the lack of DELLA domain in members of the DELLA subfamily may cause de functionalization, and the differences between the three-dimensional structures of them were exhibited. This comprehensive study provides theoretical and practical basis for future research on the evolution and function of GRAS gene family.</p>