Characteristics and Expression Pattern of <i>MYC</i> Genes in <i>Triticum aestivum</i>, <i>Oryza sativa</i>, and <i>Brachypodium distachyon</i>

• Main Authors: Shoukun Chen, Hongyan Zhao, Tengli Luo, Yue Liu, Xiaojun Nie, Haifeng Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-08-01
• Series: Plants
• Subjects: wheat; rice; <i>Brachypodium distachyon</i>; MYC; bHLH
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/8/8/274

Myelocytomatosis oncogenes (MYC) transcription factors (TFs) belong to basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) TF family and have a special bHLH_MYC_N domain in the N-terminal region. Presently, there is no detailed and systematic analysis of MYC TFs in wheat, rice, and <i>Brachypodium distachyon</i>. In this study, 26 TaMYC, 7 OsMYC, and 7 BdMYC TFs were identified and their features were characterized. Firstly, they contain a JAZ interaction domain (JID) and a putative transcriptional activation domain (TAD) in the bHLH_MYC_N region and a BhlH region in the C-terminal region. In some cases, the bHLH region is followed by a leucine zipper region; secondly, they display tissue-specific expression patterns: wheat <i>MYC</i> genes are mainly expressed in leaves, rice <i>MYC</i> genes are highly expressed in stems, and <i>B. distachyon MYC</i> genes are mainly expressed in inflorescences. In addition, three types of <i>cis</i>-elements, including plant development/growth-related, hormone-related, and abiotic stresses-related were identified in different <i>MYC</i> gene promoters. In combination with the previous studies, these results indicate that MYC TFs mainly function in growth and development, as well as in response to stresses. This study laid a foundation for the further functional elucidation of <i>MYC</i> genes.