Genome-Scale Investigation of GARP Family Genes Reveals Their Pivotal Roles in Nutrient Stress Resistance in Allotetraploid Rapeseed

The genes are plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) and play key roles in regulating plant development and abiotic stress resistance. However, few systematic analyses of have been reported in allotetraploid rapeseed ( L.) yet. In the present study, a total of 146 members were identified from the rapeseed genome based on the sequence signature. The TFs were divided into five subfamilies: , , , , and subfamilies, and the members within the same subfamilies shared similar exon-intron structures and conserved motif configuration. Analyses of the Ka/Ks ratios indicated that the family principally underwent purifying selection. Several -acting regulatory elements, essential for plant growth and diverse biotic and abiotic stresses, were identified in the promoter regions of . Further, 29 putative miRNAs were identified to be targeting . Differential expression of under low nitrate, ammonium toxicity, limited phosphate, deficient boron, salt stress, and cadmium toxicity conditions indicated their potential involvement in diverse nutrient stress responses. Notably, and were simultaneously transcriptionally responsive to these nutrient stresses in both hoots and roots, which indicated that and might play a core role in regulating rapeseed resistance to nutrient stresses. Therefore, this study would enrich our understanding of molecular characteristics of the rapeseed and will provide valuable candidate genes for further in-depth study of the GARP-mediated nutrient stress resistance in rapeseed.