Genome-wide identification and analysis of the GATA transcription factor gene family in .

In filamentous fungi, the conserved transcription factors play important roles in multiple cellular and developmental processes. The GATA proteins, a family of GATA-binding zinc finger transcription factors, play diverse functions in fungi. is an economically important pathogen-causing rice false smut worldwide. To gain additional insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of this pathogen, in this study, we identified and functionally characterized seven GATA proteins from the genome (UvGATA). Sequences analysis indicated that these GATA proteins are divided into seven clades. The proteins in each clade contained conserved clade-specific sequences and structures, thus leading to the same motif serving different purposes in various contexts. The expression profiles of genes at different infection stages and under HO stress were detected. Results showed that the majority of genes performed functions at both processes, thereby confirming the roles of these genes in pathogenicity and reactive oxygen species stress tolerance. This study provided an important starting point to further explore the biological functions of genes and increased our understanding of their potential transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in .