Genome-wide identification, characterisation, and evolution of subfamily in nine Rosaceae species and expression analysis in mei ().

Rosaceae is an important family containing some of the highly evolved fruit and ornamental plants. Abiotic stress responses play key roles in the seasonal growth and development of plants. However, the molecular basis of stress responses remains largely unknown in Rosaceae. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a stress hormone involving abiotic stress response pathways. The ABRE-binding factor/ABA-responsive element-binding protein (ABF/AREB) is a subfamily of the basic domain/leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor family. It plays an important role in the ABA-mediated signaling pathway. Here, we analyzed the subfamily genes in nine Rosaceae species. A total of 64 genes were identified, including 18, 28, and 18 genes in the Rosoideae, Amygdaloideae, and Maloideae traditional subfamilies, respectively. The evolutionary relationship of the subfamily genes was studied through the phylogenetic analysis, the gene structure and conserved motif composition, Ka/Ks values, and interspecies colinearity. These gene sets were clustered into four groups. In the () promoters, several -elements related to light, hormone, and abiotic stress response were predicted. expressed in five different tissues, except , which expressed only in buds. In the dormancy stages, , , and showed differential expression. The expression of , and was positively correlated with the ABA concentration. Except for , all the were sensitive to ABA. Several ABRE elements were contained in the promoters of , , , . Based on the findings of our study, we speculate that may play a role in flower bud dormancy in .