AUTHOR=Liang Mengjing , Du Zhongyang , Yang Ze , Luo Tao , Ji Chunli , Cui Hongli , Li Runzhi 

TITLE=Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of MADS-box transcription factor gene family in Perilla frutescens

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1299902

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1299902

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>MADS-box transcription factors are widely involved in the regulation of plant growth, developmental processes, and response to abiotic stresses. <italic>Perilla frutescens</italic>, a versatile plant, is not only used for food and medicine but also serves as an economical oil crop. However, the MADS-box transcription factor family in <italic>P. frutescens</italic> is still largely unexplored. In this study, a total of 93 <italic>PfMADS</italic> genes were identified in <italic>P. frutescens</italic> genome. These genes, including 37 Type I and 56 Type II members, were randomly distributed across 20 chromosomes and 2 scaffold regions. Type II PfMADS proteins were found to contain a greater number of motifs, indicating more complex structures and diverse functions. Expression analysis revealed that most <italic>PfMADS</italic> genes (more than 76 members) exhibited widely expression model in almost all tissues. The further analysis indicated that there was strong correlation between some MIKC<sup>C</sup>-type <italic>PfMADS</italic> genes and key genes involved in lipid synthesis and flavonoid metabolism, which implied that these <italic>PfMADS</italic> genes might play important regulatory role in the above two pathways. It was further verified that <italic>PfMADS47</italic> can effectively mediate the regulation of lipid synthesis in <italic>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</italic> transformants. Using cis-acting element analysis and qRT-PCR technology, the potential functions of six MIKC<sup>C</sup>-type <italic>PfMADS</italic> genes in response to abiotic stresses, especially cold and drought, were studied. Altogether, this study is the first genome-wide analysis of <italic>PfMADS</italic>. This result further supports functional and evolutionary studies of <italic>PfMADS</italic> gene family and serves as a benchmark for related <italic>P. frutescens</italic> breeding studies.</p>