AUTHOR=Abd El Moneim Diaa , Mansour Hassan , Alshegaihi Rana M. , Safhi Fatmah Ahmed , Alwutayd Khairiah Mubarak , Alshamrani Rahma , Alamri Amnah , Felembam Wessam , Abuzaid Amani Omar , Magdy Mahmoud 

TITLE=Evolutionary insights and expression dynamics of the CaNFYB transcription factor gene family in pepper (Capsicum annuum) under salinity stress

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2023.1288453

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2023.1288453

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Introduction:</bold> The <italic>Capsicum annuum</italic> nuclear factor Y subunit B (CaNFYB) gene family plays a significant role in diverse biological processes, including plant responses to abiotic stressors such as salinity.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> In this study, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the CaNFYB gene family in pepper, encompassing their identification, structural details, evolutionary relationships, regulatory elements in promoter regions, and expression profiles under salinity stress.</p><p><bold>Results and discussion:</bold> A total of 19 CaNFYB genes were identified and subsequently characterized based on their secondary protein structures, revealing conserved domains essential for their functionality. Chromosomal distribution showed a non-random localization of these genes, suggesting potential clusters or hotspots for NFYB genes on specific chromosomes. The evolutionary analysis focused on pepper and comparison with other plant species indicated a complex tapestry of relationships with distinct evolutionary events, including gene duplication. Moreover, promoter cis-element analysis highlighted potential regulatory intricacies, with notable occurrences of light-responsive and stress-responsive binding sites. In response to salinity stress, several CaNFYB genes demonstrated significant temporal expression variations, particularly in the roots, elucidating their role in stress adaptation. Particularly <italic>CaNFYB01</italic>, <italic>CaNFYB18</italic>, and <italic>CaNFYB19</italic>, play a pivotal role in early salinity stress response, potentially through specific regulatory mechanisms elucidated by their cis-elements. Their evolutionary clustering with other Solanaceae family members suggests conserved ancestral functions vital for the family’s survival under stress. This study provides foundational knowledge on the CaNFYB gene family in <italic>C. annuum</italic>, paving the way for further research to understand their functional implications in pepper plants and relative species and their potential utilization in breeding programs to enhance salinity tolerance.</p>