Comprehensive analysis of Alfin-like transcription factors associated with drought and salt stresses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Background Alfin-like proteins are a kind of plant-specific transcription factors, and play vital roles in plant growth, development and stress responses. Results In this study, a total of 27 Alfin-like transcription factors were identified in wheat. TaAL genes were unevenly distributed on chromosome. Phylogenetic analysis showed TaAL genes were divided into AL-B and AL-C subfamilies, and TaALs with closer evolutionary relationships generally shared more similar exon-intron structures and conserved motifs. The cis -acting element analysis showed MBS, ABRE and CGTCA-motif were the most common in TaAL promoters. The interacting proteins and downstream target genes of TaAL genes were also investigated in wheat. The transcriptome data and real-time PCR results indicated TaAL genes were differentially expressed under drought and salt stresses, and TaAL1-B was significantly up-regulated in response to drought stress. In addition, association analysis revealed that TaAL1-B-Hap-I allelic variation had significantly higher survival rate compared to TaAL1-B-Hap-II under drought stress. Conclusions These results will provide vital information to increase our understanding of the Alfin-like gene family in wheat, and help us in breeding better wheat varieties in the future.