AUTHOR=Shen Chenjia , Yue Runqing , Sun Tao , Zhang Lei , Xu Luqin , Tie Shuanggui , Wang Huizhong , Yang Yanjun 

TITLE=Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of auxin response factor gene family in Medicago truncatula

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2015

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2015.00073

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2015.00073

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Auxin response factors (ARFs) bind specifically to auxin response elements (AuxREs) in the promoters of down-stream target genes and play roles in plant responses to diverse environmental factors. Using the latest updated <italic>Medicago truncatula</italic> reference genome sequence, a comprehensive characterization and analysis of 24 <italic>MtARF</italic> (<italic>M. truncatula ARF</italic>) genes were performed. To uncover the basic information and functions of <italic>MtARF</italic> genes during symbiosis, we analyzed the expression patterns of <italic>MtARF</italic> genes during the early phase of <italic>Sinorhizobium meliloti</italic> infection. The systematic analysis indicated that changes in <italic>MtARF</italic> gene expression occur during these early stages of infection, suggesting a functional role in symbiosis. Furthermore, the roles of MtARF-mediated auxin signaling in symbiosis were tested in the infection resistant mutant (<italic>dmi3</italic>). The expression responses of <italic>MtARFs</italic> to <italic>S. meliloti</italic> infection were attenuated in the mutant compared to wild-type A17. In summary, our results show that changes in <italic>MtARF</italic> gene expression occur during the response to <italic>S. meliloti</italic> infection, suggesting that members of this family may have important roles in the symbiotic interaction.</p>