Abstract

The GATA proteins, functioning as transcription factors (TFs), are involved in multiple plant physiological and biochemical processes. In this study, 28 GATA TFs ofBrachypodium distachyon(BdGATA) were systematically characterized via whole-genome analysis.BdGATAgenes unevenly distribute on five chromosomes ofB. distachyonand undergo purifying selection during the evolution process. The putativecis-acting regulatory elements and gene interaction network of BdGATA were found to be associated with hormones and defense responses. Noticeably, the expression profiles measured by quantitative real-time PCR indicated thatBdGATAgenes were sensitive to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) treatment, and 10 of them responded to invasion of the fungal pathogenMagnaporthe oryzae, which causes rice blast disease. Genome-wide characterization, evolution, and expression profile analysis ofBdGATAgenes can open new avenues for uncovering the functions of theGATAgenes family in plants and further improve the knowledge of cellular signaling in plant defense.Keywords:Brachypodium distachyon;GATA transcription factors;genome-wide characterization;phylogenetic analysis;profile analysis