Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42129644›Full record

ArticleBMC plant biology2026

Genome-wide identification and functional characterization of bHLH transcription factors in Herpetospermum pedunculosum under salt stress.

Haijing Liang, Qinyuan Li, Qin Jiang, Min Sun, Yang Tao, Yixi Yang, Yu Xiao, Qi Zhao, Ziwei Zhu, Rui Li

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

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

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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Haijing Liang *Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Xizang Traditional Medicinal Plant, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
Qinyuan Li *Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Xizang Traditional Medicinal Plant, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
Qin JiangEngineering Research Center of Sichuan-Xizang Traditional Medicinal Plant, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
Min SunEngineering Research Center of Sichuan-Xizang Traditional Medicinal Plant, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
Yang TaoEngineering Research Center of Sichuan-Xizang Traditional Medicinal Plant, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
Yixi YangEngineering Research Center of Sichuan-Xizang Traditional Medicinal Plant, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
Yu XiaoEngineering Research Center of Sichuan-Xizang Traditional Medicinal Plant, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
Qi ZhaoEngineering Research Center of Sichuan-Xizang Traditional Medicinal Plant, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
Ziwei ZhuEngineering Research Center of Sichuan-Xizang Traditional Medicinal Plant, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China. zhuziwei@cdu.edu.cn.
Rui LiEngineering Research Center of Sichuan-Xizang Traditional Medicinal Plant, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China. lirui@cdu.edu.cn.

Funding

the Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Grant No. 2025ZNSFSC1125the Open Project Program Grant No. SKL-KF202402
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The widely conserved basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, which constitute a major transcription factor family in plants, play crucial roles in regulating plant growth, development, and environmental stress responses. Despite their importance, the genomic composition and functional roles of bHLH transcription factors in Herpetospermum pedunculosum remain uncharacterized. In this study, we identified 98 HpbHLH genes in H. pedunculosum, which were grouped into 23 subfamilies, each exhibiting distinct conserved motifs, domains, and gene structures. Promoter cis-element analysis revealed that HpbHLH genes are enriched in phytohormone- and stress-response-responsive elements. Transcriptomic analysis of salt-stressed H. pedunculosum highlighted HpbHLH28, HpbHLH45, and HpbHLH51 as candidates for further functional analysis. Subsequent quantitative real-time PCR confirmed their expression patterns under salt stress and demonstrated tissue-specific expression differences. Subcellular localization studies revealed that all three proteins localize to the nucleus. Transcriptional activation assays further demonstrated that HpbHLH28 and HpbHLH51 possess transcriptional activity, whereas HpbHLH45 remains inactive. Additionally, dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that HpbHLH51 binds to and activates the promoter of its downstream target gene HpTIFY6B, which encodes a TIFY family protein. This study presents the first comprehensive characterization of the bHLH gene family in H. pedunculosum, establishing a molecular foundation for elucidating its stress resistance mechanisms and supporting future variety improvement efforts.

Indexed as

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix ProteinsCucurbitaceaePlant ProteinsSalt StressGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression Regulation, PlantGenome, PlantPhylogenyPromoter Regions, GeneticBasic Helix-Loop-Helix ProteinsPlant ProteinsbHLH transcription factorGene familyHerpetospermum pedunculosumSalt stressTranscriptional expression

Identifiers

PMID42129644
PMCPMC13339347

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