Zinc Finger-Homeodomain Transcriptional Factors (ZF-HDs) in Wheat ( L.): Identification, Evolution, Expression Analysis and Response to Abiotic Stresses.

Zinc finger-homeodomain transcriptional factors (ZF-HDs), a kind of plant-specific transcription factor, play important roles in plant growth, development and various stress responses. In this study, the genome-wide analysis of the gene family was performed in wheat. A total of 37 genes were identified in and classified into six groups. The results of a synteny analysis showed that gene replication events contributed to the expansion of the gene family. The paralogous gene pairs with similar chromosomal locations in different subgenomes had similar expression patterns. s were highly induced under PEG (polyethylene glycol), NaCl and cold stress but not induced under heat stress. Gene ontology (GO) annotation and protein-protein interactions suggested that TaZF-HD proteins may participate in various biological processes of plants. These results increase our understanding of genes and provide robust candidate genes for future functional investigations aimed at crop improvement.