Genome-Wide Identification and Molecular Evolutionary History of the Whirly Family Genes in .

Whirly transcription factors are unique to plants, playing pivotal roles in managing leaf senescence and DNA repair. While present in various species, their identification in L. (. ) and their differences during hybridization and polyploidy has been elusive. Addressing this, our study delves into the functional and evolutionary aspects of the Whirly gene family during the emergence of , applying bioinformatics and comparative genomics. We identified six genes in . In L. (), three genes were identified, while four were found in L. (). The results show that the identified genes not only have homology but also share the same chromosomal positions. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that genes in monocots and dicots exhibit high conservation. In the evolutionary process, the Whirly gene family in . experienced events of intron/exon loss. Collinearity insights point to intense purifying selection post-duplication. Promoter regions housed diverse cis-acting elements linked to photoresponse, anaerobic initiation, and methyl jasmonate responsiveness. Notably, elements tied to abscisic acid signaling and meristem expression were prominent in diploid ancestors but subdued in tetraploid . . Tissue-specific expression unveiled analogous patterns within subfamily genes. Subsequent qRT-PCR analysis spotlighted 's potential significance in abiotic stress response, particularly drought. These findings can be used as theoretical foundations to understand the functions and effects of the Whirly gene family in . , providing references for the molecular mechanism of gene evolution between this species and its diploid ancestors.