title: Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of auxin response factor gene family in Medicago truncatula.
abstract: Auxin response factors (ARFs) bind specifically to auxin response elements (AuxREs) in the promoters of down-stream target genes and play roles in plant responses to diverse environmental factors. Using the latest updated Medicago truncatula reference genome sequence, a comprehensive characterization and analysis of 24 MtARF (M. truncatula ARF) genes were performed. To uncover the basic information and functions of MtARF genes during symbiosis, we analyzed the expression patterns of MtARF genes during the early phase of Sinorhizobium meliloti infection. The systematic analysis indicated that changes in MtARF gene expression occur during these early stages of infection, suggesting a functional role in symbiosis. Furthermore, the roles of MtARF-mediated auxin signaling in symbiosis were tested in the infection resistant mutant (dmi3). The expression responses of MtARFs to S. meliloti infection were attenuated in the mutant compared to wild-type A17. In summary, our results show that changes in MtARF gene expression occur during the response to S. meliloti infection, suggesting that members of this family may have important roles in the symbiotic interaction.
authors.affiliation: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Chenjia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Runqing
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.affiliation: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University Pullman, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Luqin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Shuanggui
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tie
authors.affiliation: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Huizhong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yanjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
keywords: Sinorhizobium meliloti infection; auxin; auxin response factor (ARF); auxin signaling; nodule formation