Pan-Genome-Based Characterization of the SRS Transcription Factor Family in Foxtail Millet

The Short Internodes-Related Sequence (SRS) family, a class of plant-specific transcription factors crucial for diverse biological processes, was systematically investigated in foxtail millet using pan-genome data from 110 core germplasm resources as well as two high-quality genomes (<i>xm<...

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Main Authors: Ruimiao Li, Cuiyun Lei, Qiang Zhang, Xiaomeng Guo, Xiting Cui, Xingchun Wang, Xukai Li, Jianhua Gao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/8/1257
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author Ruimiao Li
Cuiyun Lei
Qiang Zhang
Xiaomeng Guo
Xiting Cui
Xingchun Wang
Xukai Li
Jianhua Gao
author_facet Ruimiao Li
Cuiyun Lei
Qiang Zhang
Xiaomeng Guo
Xiting Cui
Xingchun Wang
Xukai Li
Jianhua Gao
author_sort Ruimiao Li
collection DOAJ
description The Short Internodes-Related Sequence (SRS) family, a class of plant-specific transcription factors crucial for diverse biological processes, was systematically investigated in foxtail millet using pan-genome data from 110 core germplasm resources as well as two high-quality genomes (<i>xm</i> and Yu1). We identified SRS members and analyzed their intra-species distribution patterns, including copy number variation (CNV) and interchromosomal translocations. A novel standardized nomenclature (<i>Accession_SiSRSN[.n]_xDy or xTy</i>) was proposed to unify gene family nomenclature, enabling the direct visualization of member number variation across germplasms and the identification of core/variable members while highlighting chromosomal translocations. Focusing on the two high-quality genomes, both harboring six core SRS members, we performed whole-genome collinearity analysis with Arabidopsis, rice, maize, soybean, and green foxtail. Ka/Ks analysis of collinear gene pairs revealed purifying selection acting on <i>SiSRS</i> genes. Promoter analysis identified abundant stress-responsive <i>cis</i>-elements. Among core members, the <i>xm_SiSRS5</i> gene exhibited the highest expression during vegetative growth but showed significant downregulation under drought and salt stress, suggesting its role as a key negative regulator in abiotic stress responses. This study demonstrates the utility of pan-genomics in resolving gene family dynamics and establishes <i>SiSRS5</i> as a critical target for stress tolerance engineering in foxtail millet.
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spelling doaj-art-fbac532cee83476b926d5a74e5c24b7c2025-08-20T02:28:19ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-04-01148125710.3390/plants14081257Pan-Genome-Based Characterization of the SRS Transcription Factor Family in Foxtail MilletRuimiao Li0Cuiyun Lei1Qiang Zhang2Xiaomeng Guo3Xiting Cui4Xingchun Wang5Xukai Li6Jianhua Gao7Shanxi Hou Ji Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaShanxi Hou Ji Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaShanxi Hou Ji Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaShanxi Hou Ji Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaShanxi Hou Ji Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaShanxi Hou Ji Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaShanxi Hou Ji Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaShanxi Hou Ji Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong 030801, ChinaThe Short Internodes-Related Sequence (SRS) family, a class of plant-specific transcription factors crucial for diverse biological processes, was systematically investigated in foxtail millet using pan-genome data from 110 core germplasm resources as well as two high-quality genomes (<i>xm</i> and Yu1). We identified SRS members and analyzed their intra-species distribution patterns, including copy number variation (CNV) and interchromosomal translocations. A novel standardized nomenclature (<i>Accession_SiSRSN[.n]_xDy or xTy</i>) was proposed to unify gene family nomenclature, enabling the direct visualization of member number variation across germplasms and the identification of core/variable members while highlighting chromosomal translocations. Focusing on the two high-quality genomes, both harboring six core SRS members, we performed whole-genome collinearity analysis with Arabidopsis, rice, maize, soybean, and green foxtail. Ka/Ks analysis of collinear gene pairs revealed purifying selection acting on <i>SiSRS</i> genes. Promoter analysis identified abundant stress-responsive <i>cis</i>-elements. Among core members, the <i>xm_SiSRS5</i> gene exhibited the highest expression during vegetative growth but showed significant downregulation under drought and salt stress, suggesting its role as a key negative regulator in abiotic stress responses. This study demonstrates the utility of pan-genomics in resolving gene family dynamics and establishes <i>SiSRS5</i> as a critical target for stress tolerance engineering in foxtail millet.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/8/1257foxtail milletpan-genomeSRS transcription factors
spellingShingle Ruimiao Li
Cuiyun Lei
Qiang Zhang
Xiaomeng Guo
Xiting Cui
Xingchun Wang
Xukai Li
Jianhua Gao
Pan-Genome-Based Characterization of the SRS Transcription Factor Family in Foxtail Millet
Plants
foxtail millet
pan-genome
SRS transcription factors
title Pan-Genome-Based Characterization of the SRS Transcription Factor Family in Foxtail Millet
title_full Pan-Genome-Based Characterization of the SRS Transcription Factor Family in Foxtail Millet
title_fullStr Pan-Genome-Based Characterization of the SRS Transcription Factor Family in Foxtail Millet
title_full_unstemmed Pan-Genome-Based Characterization of the SRS Transcription Factor Family in Foxtail Millet
title_short Pan-Genome-Based Characterization of the SRS Transcription Factor Family in Foxtail Millet
title_sort pan genome based characterization of the srs transcription factor family in foxtail millet
topic foxtail millet
pan-genome
SRS transcription factors
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/8/1257
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