Genome-Wide Identification of Gene Family in Cucurbitaceae and Expression Analysis in Cucumber ( L.).

YABBY transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and development. However, little is known about genes in Cucurbitaceae. Here, we identified 59 genes from eight cucurbit species, including cucumber (. L.), melon ( L.), watermelon (), wax gourd (), pumpkin (), zucchini ( L.), silver-seed gourd (), and bottle gourd (). The 59 genes were clustered into five subfamilies wherein the gene structures and motifs are conserved, suggesting similar functions within each subfamily. Different gene numbers in eight cucurbit species indicated that gene loss or duplication events exist in an evolutionary process across Cucurbitaceae. The -acting elements analysis implied that the may be involved in plant development, and phytohormone, stress, and light responses. Importantly, genes exhibited organ-specific patterns in expression in cucumber. Furthermore, a gene was constitutively expressed at higher levels at different fruit development stages and might play a crucial role in cucumber fruit development. Collectively, our work will provide a better understanding for further function identifications of genes in Cucurbitaceae.