Characterization and in silico analysis of the domain unknown function DUF568-containing gene family in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Background: Domains of unknown function (DUF) proteins are a number of uncharacterized and highly conserved protein families in eukaryotes. In plants, some DUFs have been predicted to play important roles in development and response to abiotic stress. Among them, DUF568-containing protein family is plant-specific and has not been described previously.