Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the Histone Deacetylase Gene Family in Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)

Histone acetylation is a dynamic modification process co-regulated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). Although HDACs play vital roles in abiotic or biotic stress responses, their members in and their response to plant viruses remain unknown. Here, we identified and characterized 49 at the whole-genome level. Based on phylogenetic analyses, could be divided into 5 clades, and their protein spatial structure was integral and conserved. Chromosomal location and synteny analyses showed that were widely distributed on wheat chromosomes, and gene duplication has accelerated the gene family evolution. The cis-acting element analysis indicated that were involved in hormone response, light response, abiotic stress, growth, and development. Heatmaps analysis of RNA-sequencing data showed that genes were involved in biotic or abiotic stress response. Selected were differentially expressed in diverse tissues or under varying temperature conditions. All selected were significantly upregulated following infection with the (BSMV), (CWMV), and (WYMV), suggesting their involvement in response to viral infections. Furthermore, -silenced contributed to increasing wheat resistance against CWMV infection. In summary, these findings could help deepen the understanding of the structure and characteristics of the gene family in wheat and lay the foundation for exploring the function of in plants resistant to viral infections.