Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profile Analysis of the NF-Y Transcription Factor Gene Family in <i>Petunia hybrida</i>

• Main Authors: Qian Wei, Shiyun Wen, Chuying Lan, Yixun Yu, Guoju Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
• Series: Plants
• Subjects: <i>petunia hybrida</i>; <i>nf-y</i> gene family; gene expression; abiotic stress
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/3/336

Nuclear Factor Ys (NF-Ys) are a class of heterotrimeric transcription factors that play key roles in many biological processes, such as abiotic stress responses, flowering time, and root development. The petunia (<i>Petunia hybrida</i>) is a model ornamental plant, and its draft genome has been published. However, no details regarding the NF-Y gene family in petunias are available. Here, 27 NF-Y members from the petunia genome were identified, including 10 PhNF-YAs, 13 PhNF-YBs, and 4 PhNF-YCs. Multiple alignments showed that all PhNF-Y proteins had clear conserved core regions flanked by non-conserved sequences. Phylogenetic analyses identified five pairs of orthologues NF-YB proteins from <i>Petunia</i> and <i>Arabidopsis</i>, and six pairs of paralogues NF-Y proteins in <i>Petunia</i>. Analysis of the gene structure and conserved motifs further confirmed the closer relationship in each subfamily. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that 16 PhNF-Ys could be targeted by 18 miRNA families. RNA-seq results showed that expression patterns of PhNF-Ys among four major organs (leaf, stem, flower, and root) were clustered into six major groups. The stress response pattern of PhNF-Ys was identified under cold, heat, drought, and salinity treatments. Based on the RNA-seq data, we found that 3 genes responded to drought, 4 genes responded to salt, 10 genes responded to cold, and 9 genes responded to hot. In conclusion, this study provides useful information for further studying the functions of <i>NF-Ys</i> in stress response.