Characterization of GATA gene family in Vitis vinifera: genome-wide analysis, expression profiles, and involvement in light and phytohormone response

The plant GATA family is one of the most important transcription factors involved in light-responsive development, nitrogen metabolism, phytohormone signaling, and source/sink balance. However, the function of the GATA gene is less known in grape (Vitis vinifera L.). In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the GATA family in grape (V. vinifera L.), particularly the phylogenetic evolution, duplication patterns, conserved motifs, gene structures, cis-elements, tissue expression patterns, and predicted function of VvGATA genes in response to abiotic stress. The potential roles of VvGATA genes in berry development were also investigated. The GATA transcription factors displayed expression diversity among different grape organs and tissues, and some of them showed preferential expression in a specific tissue. Heterotrophic cultured cells were used as model systems for the functional characterization of the VvGATA gene and study of its response to light and phytohormone. The results indicated that some VvGATA genes displayed differential responses to light and phytohormones, suggesting their role in light and hormone signaling pathways. A thorough analysis of GATA transcription factors in grape (V. vinifera L.) presented the characterization and functional prediction of VvGATA genes. The data presented here lay the foundation for further functional studies of grape GATA transcription factors.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author