Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (2): 269-283.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-1524.20241050

• Horticultural Science • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Genome-wide analysis of the TCP gene family in Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge and its response to abiotic stress

MA Qiyanga(), HUANG Xuelianb,*()   

  1. a. The First Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
    b. School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
  • Received:2024-12-02 Online:2026-02-25 Published:2026-03-24

Abstract:

This study aimed to identify and characterize the TCP gene family in Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bunge and elucidate its role in abiotic stress responses, and provide a theoretical basis for investigating the functional role of TCP genes in Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bunge under abiotic stress conditions. A systematic analysis of the TCP genes in Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bunge and their encoded amino acid sequences was conducted using bioinformatics methods. RNA-seq technology was employed to investigate the expression patterns of TCP genes in different tissues (roots, stems, and leaves) of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bunge. Additionally, the expression profiles of five representative AmTCP genes under abiotic stress conditions (high temperature, drought, and salt stress) were validated through real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The results showed that a total of 24 TCP genes were identified and unevenly distributed on 8 chromosomes of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bunge. The 24 AmTCP genes can be classified into Class Ⅰ (PCF) and Class Ⅱ (CYC/TB1 and CIN). Proteins within the same subfamily had highly similar motif compositions, and most AmTCP genes lack introns. Fragment duplication played an important role in the evolution of the TCP gene family in Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bunge. In addition, analysis of the promoter region revealed multiple light-responsive elements and hormone-responsive elements. Tissue expression analysis showed that the AmTCP genes had significant tissue expression specificity. Under abiotic stress, there were significant differences in the expression levels of five representative AmTCP genes, among which AmTCP18 and AmTCP19 genes showed higher expression levels under various stress conditions. In summary, AmTCP18 and AmTCP19 may play a key role in the response of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bunge to abiotic stress. This study lays the foundation for further functional and evolutionary research on the TCP gene family of Astragalus membranaceus(Fisch.) Bunge.

Key words: Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, TCP gene family, genome-wide analysis, abiotic stress

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