AUTHOR=Zhu Xinyu , Gao Tian , Bian Ka , Meng Chengzhen , Tang Xianghai , Mao Yunxiang 

TITLE=Genome-wide analysis and expression profile of the bZIP gene family in Neopyropia yezoensis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1461922

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1461922

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family consists of conserved transcription factors which are widely present in eukaryotes and play important regulatory roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. <italic>Neopyropia yezoensis</italic> is a red marine macroalga of significant economic importance; however, their bZIP family members and functions have not been systematically identified and analyzed. In the present study, the <italic>bZIP</italic> gene family in <italic>Ny. yezoensis</italic> was characterized by investigating gene structures, conserved motifs, phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal localizations, gene duplication events, cis-regulatory elements, and expression profiles. Twenty-three <italic>Ny. yezoensis bZIP</italic> (<italic>NyybZIP</italic>) genes were identified and sorted into 13 out of 30 groups, which were classified based on the bZIPs of <italic>Ny. yezoensis</italic> and 15 other red algae species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that bZIP genes may have a complex evolutionary pattern in red algae. Cross-species collinearity analysis indicated that the <italic>bZIP</italic> genes in <italic>Ny. yezoensis</italic>, <italic>Neoporphyra haitanensis</italic>, and <italic>Porphyra umbilicalis</italic> are highly evolutionarily conserved. In addition, we identified four main categories of cis-elements, including development-related, light-responsive, phytohormone-responsive and stress-responsive promoter sequences in <italic>NyybZIP</italic> genes. Finally, RNA sequencing data and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that <italic>NyybZIP</italic> genes exhibited different expression patterns depending on the life stage. <italic>NyybZIP</italic> genes were also found to be involved in the nitrogen stress response. We thought that bZIP genes may be involved in <italic>Ny. yezoensis</italic> growth and development, and play a significant role in nitrogen deficiency response. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the roles of the bZIP gene family and provide a basis for additional research into its evolutionary history and biological functions.</p>