AUTHOR=Yang Xuefei , Gao Changyong , Hu Yaqian , Ma Qianru , Li Zejun , Wang Jing , Li Zhaoqun , Zhang Li , Li Dongming 

TITLE=Identification and expression analysis of bZIP transcription factors in Setaria italica in response to dehydration stress

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2024.1466486

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2024.1466486

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>Among the largest transcription factor families in plants, bZIPs are crucial for various developmental and physiological processes, particularly abiotic stress resistance. <italic>Setaria italica</italic> has become a model for understanding stress resistance mechanisms. In this study, we identified 90 bZIP transcription factors in the <italic>Setaria italica</italic> genome. <italic>SibZIPs</italic> were classified into 13 groups based on references to <italic>Arabidopsis</italic> bZIPs. Members in the same group shared similar motifs and gene structure pattern. In addition, gene duplication analysis indenfied 37 pairs of segmental duplicated genes and none tandem duplicated genes in <italic>S. italica</italic> suggesting segmental duplication contributed to the expansion of the <italic>S. italica</italic> bZIP gene family. Moreover, the number of <italic>SibZIPs</italic> genes (39) exhibiting higher expression in roots was significantly more than that in other organs. Twelve <italic>SibZIP</italic> genes were upregulated in response to dehydration stress. In conclusion, our study advances the current understanding of <italic>SibZIP</italic> genes and provide a number of candidates for functional analysis of drought tolerance in <italic>S. italica</italic>.</p>