Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization Analysis of WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox Family in Melon ( L.).

WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) proteins are very important in controlling plant development and stress responses. However, the WOX family members and their role in response to abiotic stresses are largely unknown in melon ( L.). In this study, 11 WOX (CmWOX) transcript factors with conserved WUS and homeobox motif were identified and characterized, and subdivided into modern clade, ancient clade and intermediate clade based on bioinformatic and phylogenetic analysis. Evolutionary analysis revealed that the CmWOX family showed protein variations in Arabidopsis, tomato, cucumber, melon and rice. Alignment of protein sequences uncovered that all CmWOXs had the typical homeodomain, which consisted of conserved amino acids. -element analysis showed that genes may response to abiotic stress. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR results further revealed that the expression of partially genes are associated with cold and drought. and were constitutively expressed under abiotic stresses, may play a role in abiotic processes during plant development. Taken together, this study offers new perspectives on the CmWOX family's interaction and provides the framework for research on the molecular functions of genes.