Genome-wide identification of and genes in cultivated peanut () and functional characterization of in response to cold stress.

Introduction: Trehalose is vital for plant metabolism, growth, and stress resilience, relying on () and () genes. Research on these genes in cultivated peanuts () is limited.

Methods: This study employed bioinformatics to identify and analyze and genes in cultivated peanuts, with subsequent experimental validation of role in cold tolerance.

Results: In the cultivated peanut genome, a total of 16 and 17 genes were identified. and genes were observed in phylogenetic analysis, closely related to wild diploid peanuts, respectively. The evolutionary patterns of and genes were predominantly characterized by gene segmental duplication events and robust purifying selection. A variety of hormone-responsive and stress-related -elements were unveiled in our analysis of -regulatory elements. Distinct expression patterns of and genes across different peanut tissues, developmental stages, and treatments were revealed, suggesting potential roles in growth, development, and stress responses. Under low-temperature stress, qPCR results showcased upregulation in genes (, , , ) and genes (, , , ). Furthermore, , exhibiting the most significant expression difference under cold stress, was obviously induced by cold stress in cultivated peanut, and -overexpression improved the cold tolerance of by protect the photosynthetic system of plants, and regulates sugar-related metabolites and genes.

Discussion: This comprehensive study lays the groundwork for understanding the roles of and gene families in trehalose regulation within cultivated peanuts and provides valuable insights into the mechanisms related to cold stress tolerance.