Genome-Wide Identification and Salt Stress-Responsive Expression Analysis of the Gene Family in Soybean ( L.).

The plant-specific transcription factors play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and responses to abiotic stresses. However, despite their functional significance, genes remain poorly characterized in soybeans. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of the gene family and investigated their expression profiles under salt stress. We identified a total of 29 genes in the soybean genome and systematically analyzed their physicochemical properties, conserved domains, evolutionary relationships, cis-acting elements, and expression regulation patterns. Subcellular localization predictions indicated nuclear localization for most , except for and , which showed dual chloroplast-nuclear localization. A gene family expansion analysis indicated that 21 segmental duplication events were the primary driver of diversification. A phylogenetic analysis classified the genes into four subgroups, while gene structure and motif analyses revealed conserved zinc-binding domains and identified multiple cis-acting elements associated with light responsiveness, hormone signaling, and stress responses. Expression profiling showed tissue-specific expression patterns, with 13 genes differentially expressed under salt stress, including root-preferential members (e.g., , ) and leaf-preferential members (e.g., , ). This study provides a theoretical basis for further investigation of gene functions in soybean development and stress tolerance.