AUTHOR=Liu Sha , Chen Ting , Li Xin , Cui Junjun , Tian Yinshuai 

TITLE=Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of EPF/EPFL gene family in Populus trichocarpa

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2024.1432376

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2024.1432376

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>The Epidermal Patterning Factor/EPF-like (EPF/EPFL) family encodes a specific type of secreted protein in plants and plays an important role in plant growth and development, especially in the process of morphogenesis. To investigate the characteristics of <italic>EPF/EPFL</italic> gene family members and their regulatory functions in stomatal development of <italic>Populus trichocarpa</italic>, a total of 15 <italic>EPF/EPFL</italic> family genes were identified. Then the gene structure, chromosome location, phylogenetic relationship, protein conserved domain and gene expression profile were analyzed. According to phylogenetic analysis, PtEPF/EPFL can be classified into four groups. The gene structure and protein conservation motifs within the EPF family indicate the high conservation of the <italic>PtEPF/EPFL</italic> sequence. The promoter region of <italic>PtEPF/EPFL</italic> was found to contain cis-elements in response to stress and plant hormones. In addition, RT-qPCR results indicated that the <italic>PtEPF/EPFL</italic> have a differentially expressed in different tissues. Under drought stress treatment, a substantial upregulation was observed in the majority of <italic>PtEPF/EPFL</italic> members, suggesting their potential involvement in drought response. These results provide a theoretical basis for future exploration of the characteristics and functions of more <italic>PtEPF/EPFL</italic> genes.</p>