AUTHOR=Qin Cheng , Cheng Linming , Shen Jingqin , Zhang Yunhong , Cao Huimin , Lu Dan , Shen Chenjia 

TITLE=Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the 14-3-3 Family Genes in Medicago truncatula

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2016

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2016.00320

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2016.00320

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>The 14-3-3 gene family, which is conserved in eukaryotes, is involved in protein-protein interactions and mediates signal transduction. However, detailed investigations of the <italic>14-3-3</italic> gene family in <italic>Medicago truncatula</italic> are largely unknown. In this study, the identification and study of <italic>M. truncatula</italic> 14-3-3-family genes were performed based on the latest <italic>M. truncatula</italic> genome. In the <italic>M. truncatula</italic> genome, 10 14-3-3 family genes were identified, and they can be grouped into ε and non-ε groups. An exon-intron analysis showed that the gene structures are conserved in the same group. The protein structure analysis showed that 14-3-3 proteins in <italic>M. truncatula</italic> are composed of nine typical antiparallel α-helices. The expression patterns of <italic>Mt14-3-3</italic> genes indicated that they are expressed in all tissues. Furthermore, the gene expression levels of <italic>Mt14-3-3</italic> under hormone treatment and <italic>Sinorhizobium meliloti</italic> infection showed that the <italic>Mt14-3-3</italic> genes were involve in nodule formation. Our findings lay a solid foundation for further functional studies of 14-3-3 in <italic>M. truncatula</italic>.</p>