Genome-wide identification, classification and expression profile analysis of the HSF gene family in Hypericum perforatum

Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) are critical regulators of plant responses to various abiotic and biotic stresses, including high temperature stress. HSFs are involved in regulating the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) by binding with heat stress elements (HSEs) to defend against high-temperature stress. The genome was recently fully sequenced; this provides a valuable resource for genetic and functional analysis. In this study, 23 putative genes were identified and divided into three groups (A, B, and C) based on phylogeny and structural features. Gene structure and conserved motif analyses were performed on members; the DNA-binding domain (DBD), hydrophobic heptad repeat (HR-A/B), and exon-intron boundaries exhibited specific phylogenetic relationships. In addition, the presence of various -acting elements in the promoter regions of underscored their regulatory function in abiotic stress responses. RT-qPCR analyses showed that most genes were expressed in response to heat conditions, suggesting that HpHSFs play potential roles in the heat stress resistance pathway. Our findings are advantageous for the analysis and research of the function of HpHSFs in high temperature stress tolerance in .