Genome-Wide Characterization, Evolution, and Expression Profile Analysis of GATA Transcription Factors in Brachypodium distachyon

Abstract

The GATA proteins, functioning as transcription factors (TFs), are involved in multiple plant physiological and biochemical processes. In this study, 28 GATA TFs of <i>Brachypodium distachyon</i> (BdGATA) were systematically characterized via whole-genome analysis. <i>BdGATA</i> genes unevenly distribute on five chromosomes of <i>B. distachyon</i> and undergo purifying selection during the evolution process. The putative <i>cis</i>-acting regulatory elements and gene interaction network of BdGATA were found to be associated with hormones and defense responses. Noticeably, the expression profiles measured by quantitative real-time PCR indicated that <i>BdGATA</i> genes were sensitive to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) treatment, and 10 of them responded to invasion of the fungal pathogen <i>Magnaporthe oryzae</i>, which causes rice blast disease. Genome-wide characterization, evolution, and expression profile analysis of <i>BdGATA</i> genes can open new avenues for uncovering the functions of the <i>GATA</i> genes family in plants and further improve the knowledge of cellular signaling in plant defense.