Wide-Range Portrayal of AP2/ERF Transcription Factor Family in Maize ( L.) Development and Stress Responses.

The / containing conservative / domains constituted a plant-specific transcription factor (TF) superfamily, called AP2/ERF. The configuration of the AP2/ERF superfamily in maize has remained unresolved. In this study, we identified the 229 genes in the latest (B73 RefGen_v5) maize reference genome. Phylogenetic classification of the / family members categorized it into five clades, including 27 (), 5 (/), 89 (), 105 (), and a soloist. The duplication events of the paralogous genes occurred from 1.724-25.855 MYA, a key route to maize evolution. Structural analysis reveals that they have more introns and few exons. The results showed that 32 regulate biotic stresses, and 24 are involved in responses towards abiotic stresses. Additionally, the expression analysis showed that DREB family members are involved in plant sex determination. The real-time quantitative expression profiling of in the leaves of the maize inbred line B73 under ABA, JA, salt, drought, heat, and wounding stress revealed their specific expression patterns. Conclusively, this study unveiled the evolutionary pathway of and its essential role in stress and developmental processes. The generated information will be useful for stress resilience maize breeding programs.