Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41629774›Full record

ArticleBMC genomics2026

Genome-wide identification of the GATA transcription factor family in ten Cucurbitaceae species and expression analysis of ClGATA genes in watermelon stress responses.

Jiong Gao, Li Jia, Rongjing Cui, Zhu Wang, Congsheng Yan, Ming Qian, Yingjie Shu, Kaijing Zhang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC genomics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Jiong GaoCollege of Agriculture, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China.
Li JiaKey Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Germplasm Innovation and Utilization (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230001, China.
Rongjing CuiCollege of Agriculture, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China.
Zhu WangCollege of Agriculture, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China.
Congsheng YanKey Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Germplasm Innovation and Utilization (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230001, China.
Ming QianCollege of Agriculture, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China.
Yingjie ShuCollege of Agriculture, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China.
Kaijing ZhangCollege of Agriculture, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China. zhangkj@ahstu.edu.cn.

Funding

Anhui Provincial Outstanding Youth Research Project 2024AH030012Key Discipline Construction Fund for Crop Science of Anhui Science and Technology University No. XK-XJGF001Open Research Fund Program of Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Germplasm Innovation and Utilization (Co-construction by Ministry and Province) AHYY2023008Talent Foundation of Anhui Science and Technology University NXYJ202103
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGATA transcription factors are ubiquitous in plants, where they regulate target gene expression to modulate plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stresses. The GATA gene family has been identified in numerous plant species, with characterization reported in cucumber and melon among Cucurbitaceae crops. However, the GATA gene family remains unstudied in most other Cucurbitaceae species. Here, we systematically identified GATA genes in 10 Cucurbitaceae species (watermelon, cucumber, melon, pumpkin, wax gourd, sponge gourd, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, chayote, snake gourd) using the latest high-quality genomic datasets.

resultsA total of 281 GATA genes were identified across these 10 species, and phylogenetic analysis clustered them into four subgroups (Groups A, B, C, D). For watermelon GATA (ClGATA) genes, cis-acting element analysis revealed abundant stress-responsive elements in their promoter regions. Predictions of ClGATA protein secondary and tertiary structures showed random coils as the dominant secondary structural component, with subgroup-specific tertiary characteristics supporting functional synergy within each subgroup. Intraspecific synteny analysis identified 7 segmentally duplicated ClGATA gene pairs, with no tandem duplications detected, indicating segmental duplication drove the expansion of the ClGATA family. Transcriptome reanalysis under 17 types of abiotic and biotic stresses showed ClGATA7 exhibited significant differential expression under 5 abiotic and 3 biotic stress types, and ClGATA11 showed significant differential expression under 3 abiotic and 5 biotic stress types. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) validation of 6 key ClGATA genes further confirmed the role of ClGATA7 in mediating abiotic stress responses, with consistent down-regulation under low temperature in both leaf and root tissues. Protein-protein interaction prediction identified potential interactions among 21 of the 24 ClGATA proteins, including a direct interaction between ClGATA7 and ClGATA17.

conclusionsThese findings advance our understanding of GATA gene family evolution and function in Cucurbitaceae. Given the broad stress responsiveness of ClGATA7 and ClGATA11, they are highlighted as priority candidate genes for functional studies and genetic improvement of stress tolerance in watermelon.

Indexed as

CitrullusCucurbitaceaeGATA Transcription FactorsPlant ProteinsStress, PhysiologicalGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression Regulation, PlantGenome, PlantGenomicsMultigene FamilyPhylogenyGATA Transcription FactorsPlant ProteinsAbiotic and biotic stressesCucurbitaceaeExpression patternGATAGene family

Identifiers

PMID41629774
PMCPMC12955067

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.