Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the CBF transcription factor family in Lolium perenne under abiotic stress

ABSTRACT

C-repeat binding factor (CBF) subfamily genes encoding transcriptional activators are members of the AP2/ERF superfamily. CBFs play important roles in plant tolerance to abiotic stress. In this study, we identified and analyzed the structure, phylogeny, conserved motifs, and expression profiles of 12 CBFs of the grass species Lolium perenne cultured under abiotic stress. The identified LpCBFs were grouped into three phylogenetic clades according to their protein structures and motif organizations. LpCBF expression was differentially induced by cold, heat, water deficit, salinity, and abscisic acid, among which cold treatment induced LpCBF gene expression significantly. Furthermore, association network analysis indicated that different proteins, including certain stress-related proteins, potentially interact with LpCBFs. Altogether, these findings will enhance our understanding of LpCBFs protein structure and function in the regulation of L. perenne stress responses. Our results will provide valuable information for further functional research of LpCBF proteins in L. perenne stress resistance.

KEYWORDS:

• LpCBF
• perennial ryegrass
• expression level
• abiotic stress
• cold tolerance

Abbreviations

CBF	=	C-repeat binding factor
AP2/ERF	=	APETALA2/Ethylene responsive factor
DRE/CRT	=	dehydration responsive element/C-repeat
COR	=	Cold regulated
ABA	=	Abscisic acid
pI	=	Isoelectric point
MW	=	Molecular weight
GRAVY	=	Grand average hydropathicity
NLS	=	Nuclear localization signal
cDNA	=	Complementary DNA
PEG	=	Polyethylene glycol
eIF4A	=	Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 alpha
LEA	=	Late embryogenesis abundant
NAC	=	NAM、ATAF1/2、CUC2.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study were included in this published article and the addition-al files.

Author contributions

NS and WD wrote the main manuscript text. NS and WD contributed to the conception of the study. WD, CB, GH, and LY performed the experiments and the data analyses. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2022.2086733

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2020YJ0413) and the Fundamental Research Funds of China West Normal University (19E052). The funding bodies played no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript.