AUTHOR=Tu Jing , Abid Muhammad , Luo Juan , Zhang Yi , Yang Endian , Cai Xinxia , Gao Puxin , Huang Hongwen , Wang Zupeng 

TITLE=Genome-wide identification of the heat shock transcription factor gene family in two kiwifruit species

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1075013

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1075013

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>High temperatures have a significant impact on plant growth and metabolism. In recent years, the fruit industry has faced a serious threat due to high-temperature stress on fruit plants caused by global warming. In the present study, we explored the molecular regulatory mechanisms that contribute to high-temperature tolerance in kiwifruit. A total of 36 <italic>Hsf</italic> genes were identified in the <italic>A. chinensis</italic> (Ac) genome, while 41 <italic>Hsf</italic> genes were found in the <italic>A. eriantha</italic> (Ae) genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the clustering of kiwifruit <italic>Hsfs</italic> into three distinct groups (groups A, B, and C). Synteny analysis indicated that the expansion of the <italic>Hsf</italic> gene family in the Ac and Ae genomes was primarily driven by whole genome duplication (WGD). Analysis of the gene expression profiles revealed a close relationship between the expression levels of <italic>Hsf</italic> genes and various plant tissues and stress treatments throughout fruit ripening. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated that GFP-AcHsfA2a/AcHsfA7b and AcHsfA2a/AcHsfA7b -GFP were localized in the nucleus, while GFP-AcHsfA2a was also observed in the cytoplasm of <italic>Arabidopsis</italic> protoplasts. The results of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that the majority of <italic>Hsf</italic> genes, especially <italic>AcHsfA2a</italic>, were expressed under high-temperature conditions. In conclusion, our findings establish a theoretical foundation for analyzing the potential role of <italic>Hsfs</italic> in high-temperature stress tolerance in kiwifruit. This study also offers valuable information to aid plant breeders in the development of heat-stress-resistant plant materials.</p>