AUTHOR=Cui Danni , Song Yin , Jiang Weihao , Ye Han , Wang Shipeng , Yuan Li , Liu Bailin 

TITLE=Genome-wide characterization of the GRF transcription factors in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and expression analysis of StGRF genes during potato tuber dormancy and sprouting

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1417204

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1417204

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Growth-regulating factors (GRFs) are transcription factors that play a pivotal role in plant growth and development. This study identifies 12 <italic>Solanum tuberosum</italic> GRF transcription factors (StGRFs) and analyzes their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures and gene expression patterns using bioinformatics. The StGRFs exhibit a length range of 266 to 599 amino acids, with a molecular weight of 26.02 to 64.52 kDa. The majority of <italic>StGRFs</italic> possess three introns. The promoter regions contain a plethora of <italic>cis</italic>-acting elements related to plant growth and development, as well as environmental stress and hormone response. All the members of the StGRF family contain conserved WRC and QLQ domains, with the sequences of these two conserved domain modules exhibiting high levels of conservation. Transcriptomic data indicates that <italic>StGRFs</italic> play a significant role in the growth and development of stamens, roots, young tubers, and other tissues or organs in potatoes. Furthermore, a few <italic>StGRFs</italic> exhibit differential expression patterns in response to <italic>Phytophthora infestans</italic>, chemical elicitors, heat, salt, and drought stresses, as well as multiple hormone treatments. The results of the expression analysis indicate that <italic>StGRF1</italic>, <italic>StGRF2</italic>, <italic>StGRF5</italic>, <italic>StGRF7</italic>, <italic>StGRF10</italic> and <italic>StGRF12</italic> are involved in the process of tuber sprouting, while <italic>StGRF4</italic> and <italic>StGRF9</italic> may play a role in tuber dormancy. These findings offer valuable insights that can be used to investigate the roles of <italic>StGRFs</italic> during potato tuber dormancy and sprouting.</p>