Agronomy (Oct 2024)

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of the <i>BES1</i> Gene Family in <i>Medicago sativa</i>

  • Zhengqiang Chen,
  • Fangqi Chen,
  • Ruifang Jia,
  • Yaxuan Qin,
  • Yuanyuan Zhang,
  • Kejian Lin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102287
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 10
p. 2287

Abstract

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Brassinosteroid (BR) signaling is regulated by BRI1-EMS SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) transcription factors, which are crucial for plant growth, development, and stress responses. Despite their importance, BES1 gene studies in Medicago sativa L. are limited, hindering our understanding of the BR signaling in this species. This study identified four BES1 genes in M. sativa; characterized their properties, conserved motifs, cis-regulatory elements, and chromosomal location; and explored their functions in development and stress responses. A phylogenetic analysis grouped these genes into two subfamilies. Transcript profiling showed widespread and tissue-specific expression patterns. A qRT-PCR analysis unveiled that most MsBESI genes were upregulated under salt and drought treatments, except MsG0280009980, which was suppressed. This research lays the groundwork for enhancing M. sativa stress resistance and understanding the BES1 gene family’s function.

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