Genome-Wide Identification of the bHLH Gene Family in and Its Expression Analysis in Different Floral Tissues.

BACKGROUND

The bHLH genes play a crucial role in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, there is currently limited research on bHLH genes in the important horticultural plant Franch.

METHODS

In this study, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide identification and in-depth analysis of the bHLH gene family in using bioinformatics approaches.

RESULTS

A total of 145 bHLH family members were identified, encoding proteins ranging from 98 to 3300 amino acids in length, with molecular weights ranging from 11.44 to 370.51 kDa and isoelectric points ranging from 4.22 to 10.80. These 145 bHLH genes were unevenly distributed across 13 chromosomes, with three bHLH genes located on contig 52. Chromosome 8 contained the highest number of bHLH family members with 19 genes, while chromosomes 9 and 13 had the lowest, with 7 genes each. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close evolutionary relationship between bHLH genes in and . Subcellular localization analysis indicated that most bHLH genes were located in the nucleus. Promoter analysis of bHLH genes revealed the presence of various cis-regulatory elements associated with light responses, methyl jasmonate responses, low-temperature responses, and coenzyme responses, suggesting that bHLH genes are involved in multiple biological processes in . Through transcriptome analysis, we identified three key functional genes-, , and -that may regulate flower color in .

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our study comprehensively identified and analyzed the bHLH gene family in and identified three bHLH genes related to flower color, providing a foundation for molecular biology research and breeding in .