Systematic analysis of the Aux/IAA gene family in pineapple reveals insights into their structural diversity, expression dynamics, and interaction networks.

BACKGROUND

The Aux/IAA protein is integral to the modulation of auxin signaling, which is essential for plant growth and development. However, systematic analysis on the Aux/IAA gene family in pineapple ( L.) remains unexplored.

RESULTS

We systematically identified 20 Aux/IAA genes in pineapple, classifying them into eight evolutionary groups. Structural analysis revealed conserved domains (I-IV) and intron-exon patterns, with most genes harboring hormone/stress-responsive -elements. Subcellular localization confirmed nuclear targeting of all AcIAA-GFP fusion proteins. Tissue-specific expression profiling identified as root-enriched, as floral-specific, and as leaf-preferential. During fruit development, peaked at ripening stage, while declined progressively. Yeast two-hybrid assays uncovered 68 AcIAA-AcARF interactions, with AcARF6/14 showing broad binding capacity, while AcIAA1/17/20 exhibited no interactions. These findings present insights into pineapple genes, revealing their structural diversity, spatiotemporal expression dynamics, and interaction networks with AcARFs, and highlight their potential roles in organ development and fruit ripening.

CONCLUSION

This study establishes a foundation for future functional analyses aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying auxin signaling, which governs fruit yield and quality in pineapples.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-025-07292-1.