陆地棉ADP核糖基化因子ARF基因家族的鉴定与表达分析OA

[Objective]This study aims to systematically identify and characterize the composition of the adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation factor(ARF)gene family in upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum)and to explore its potential roles in growth,development,and abiotic stress responses,thereby providing a theoretical basis for subsequent functional studies.[Methods]Based on the upland cotton reference genome,a genome-wide identification of the ARF gene family was performed,followed by analyses of phylogenetic relationships,gene structures,conserved motifs,chromosomal localization,colinearity,and cis-acting elements.Public databases and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were further employed to systematically analyze the expression patterns of 42 ARF genes in different tissues,at different ovule and fiber developmental stages,and under low-temperature,high-temperature,drought,and salt stress conditions,with a comparative analysis of expression differences of Group Ⅳ members among different cultivars.[Results]A total of 42 ARF genes were identified in upland cotton and classified into four groups,with members within each group showing highly conserved gene structures and motif compositions.The ARF genes were relatively evenly distributed between the A and D subgenomes.Overall expression levels of ARF genes were obviously higher in reproductive organs than those in vegetative tissues,and most genes exhibited stage-specific high level expression during 0-5 d of ovule development and fiber development.The GroupⅣ ARF genes showed significant expression differences among cultivars and displayed differential induction or suppression under low-temperature,salt,and drought stresses.[Conclusion]The ARF gene family in upland cotton is evolutionarily highly conserved with evidence of functional diversification.ARF genes exhibit pronounced stage-specific and functional differentiation during fiber development and abiotic stress responses,and Group Ⅳ members,together with their unique conserved motif(Motif 9),may play important regulatory roles in stress responses.