Genome wide investigation of Hsf gene family in Phoebe bournei:identification,evolution,and expression after abiotic stresses

Heat shock transcription factors(Hsfs)have important roles during plant growth and development and responses to abiotic stresses.The identification and func-tion of Hsf genes have been thoroughly studied in various herbaceous plant species,but not woody species,especially Phoebe bournei,an endangered,unique species in China.In this study,17 members of the Hsf gene family were identi-fied from P.bournei using bioinformatic methods.Phyloge-netic analysis indicated that PbHsf genes were grouped into three subfamilies:A,B,and C.Conserved motifs,three-dimensional structure,and physicochemical properties of the PbHsf proteins were also analyzed.The structure of the PbHsf genes varied in the number of exons and introns.Pre-diction of cis-acting elements in the promoter region indi-cated that PbHsf genes are likely involved in responses to plant hormones and stresses.A collinearity analysis dem-onstrated that expansions of the PbHsf gene family mainly take place via segmental duplication.The expression levels of PbHsf genes varied across different plant tissues.On the basis of the expression profiles of five representative PbHsf genes during heat,cold,salt,and drought stress,PbHsf pro-teins seem to have multiple functions depending on the type of abiotic stress.This systematic,genome-wide investigation of PbHsf genes in P.bournei and their expression patterns provides valuable insights and information for further func-tional dissection of Hsf proteins in this endangered,unique species.

Comprehensive identification and analyses of the Hsf gene family in the whole-genome of three Apiaceae species

Apiaceae is a major family from Apiales and includes many important vegetable and medicinal crops.Heat shock transcription factors(Hsf)play important roles in heat tolerance during plant development.Here,we conducted systematic analyses of the Hsf gene family in three Apiaceae species,including 17 Apium graveolens(celery),32 Coriandrum sativum(coriander),and 14 Daucus carota(carrot).A total of 73 Hsf genes were identified in three representative species,including Arabidopsis thaliana,Vitis vinifera,and Lactuca sativa.Whole-genome duplication played important roles in the Hsf gene family’s expansion within Apiaceae.Interestingly,we found that coriander had more Hsf genes than celery and carrot due to greater expansion and fewer losses.Twenty-seven branches of the phylogenetic tree underwent considerable positive selection in these Apiaceae species.We also explored the expression patterns of Hsf genes in three plant organs.Collectively,this study will serve as a rich gene resource for exploring the molecular mechanisms of heat tolerance.Additionally,this is the first study to report on the Hsf gene family in Apiaceae;thus,our research will provide guidance for future comparative and functional genomic studies on the Hsf gene family and others in Apiaceae.