Comprehensive Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of Type Zinc Finger Gene Family in Wheat ( L.).

The CCHC-type zinc finger proteins (CCHC-ZFPs) play versatile roles in plant growth, development and adaptation to the environment. However, little is known about functions of gene family memebers in . In the present study, we identified a total of 50 genes from the 21 wheat chromosomes, which were phylogenetically classified into eight groups based on their specific motifs and gene structures. The 43 segmentally duplicated genes were retrieved, which formed 36 segmental duplication gene pairs. The collinearity analyses among wheat and other eight mono/dicots revealed that no gene pairs were found between wheat and the three dicots. The promoter analyses of the genes showed that 636 environmental stress-responsive and phytohormone-responsive -elements. The gene ontology enrichment analysis indicated that all the genes were annotated under nucleic acid binding and metal ion binding. A total of 91 MicroRNA (miRNA) binding sites were identified in 34 genes according to the miRNA target analysis. Based on the public transcriptome data, the 38 genes were identified as differentially expressed gene. The expression profiles of 15 genes were verified by the quantitative real-time PCR assays, and the results showed that these genes were responsive to drought or heat treatments. Our work systematically investigated the gene structures, evolutionary features, and potential functions of genes. It lays a foundation for further research and application of genes in genetic improvement of .