Publication Overview
Abstract Background: Auxin response factors (ARFs) in auxin signaling pathway are an important component that can regulate
the transcription of auxin-responsive genes involved in almost all aspects of plant growth and development.
To our knowledge, the comprehensive and systematic characterization of ARF genes has never been reported
in Prunus sibirica, a novel woody biodiesel feedstock in China.
Results: In this study, we identified 14 PsARF genes with a perfect open reading frame (ORF) in P. sibirica by
using its previous transcriptomic data. Conserved motif analysis showed that all identified PsARF proteins had
typical DNA-binding and ARF domain, but 5 members (PsARF3, 8 10, 16 and 17) lacked the dimerization
domain. Phylogenetic analysis of the ARF proteins generated from various plant species indicated that ARFs
could be categorized into 4 major groups (Class I, II, III and IV), in which all identified ARFs from P. sibirica
showed a closest relationship with those from P. mume. Comparison of the expression profiles of 14 PsARF
genes in different developmental stages of Siberian apricot mesocarp (SAM) and kernel (SAK) reflected distinct temporal
or spatial expression patterns for PsARF genes. Additionally, based on the expressed data from fruit and seed
development of multiple plant species, we identified 1514 ARF-correlated genes using weighted gene co-expression
network analysis (WGCNA). And the major portion of ARF-correlated gene was characterized to be involved in protein,
nucleic acid and carbohydrate metabolic, transport and regulatory processes.
Conclusions: In summary, we systematically and comprehensively analyzed the structure, expression pattern and coexpression
network of ARF gene family in P. sibirica. All our findings provide theoretical foundation for the PsARF gene
family and will pave the way for elucidating the precise role of PsARF genes in SAM and SAK development.
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