Genome-wide survey and expression profiles of the AP2/ERF family in castor bean (Ricinus communis L.).
BACKGROUND
The AP2/ERF transcription factor, one of the largest gene families in plants, plays a crucial role in the regulation of growth and development, metabolism, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Castor bean (Ricinus communis L., Euphobiaceae) is one of most important non-edible oilseed crops and its seed oil is broadly used for industrial applications. The available genome provides a great chance to identify and characterize the global information on AP2/ERF transcription factors in castor bean, which might provide insights in understanding the molecular basis of the AP2/ERF family in castor bean.


RESULTS
A total of 114 AP2/ERF transcription factors were identified based on the genome in castor bean. According to the number of the AP2/ERF domain, the conserved amino acid residues within AP2/ERF domain, the conserved motifs and gene organization in structure, and phylogenetical analysis, the identified 114 AP2/ERF transcription factors were characterized. Global expression profiles among different tissues using high-throughput sequencing of digital gene expression profiles (DGEs) displayed diverse expression patterns that may provide basic information in understanding the function of the AP2/ERF gene family in castor bean.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study is the first report on identification and characterization of the AP2/ERF transcription factors based on the genome of castor bean in the family Euphobiaceae. Results obtained from this study provide valuable information in understanding the molecular basis of the AP2/ERF family in castor bean.
Wei
W
Xu
Fei
F
Li
Lizhen
L
Ling
Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming 650204, China. liuaizhong@mail.kib.ac.cn.
Aizhong
A
Liu
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002367:Ricinus communis / Q000235:genetics*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018745:Genome, Plant; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D059467:Transcriptome
D010940:Plant Proteins; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2