Genome-wide identification of the GATA gene family in melon (Cucumis melo) and analysis of their expression characteristics under biotic and abiotic stresses

GATA transcription factors are an important class of transcription factors in plants, known for their roles in tissue development, signal transduction, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. To date, there have been no reports on the <i>GATA</i> gene family in melon (<i>Cucumis melo</i>). In this study, 24 <i>CmGATA</i> genes were identified from the melon genome. These family members exhibit significant differences in protein length, molecular weight, and theoretical isoelectric point and are primarily located in the nucleus. Based on the classification of <i>Arabidopsis thaliana GATA</i> members, the phylogenetic tree divided them into four groups: group I, group II, group III, and group IV, containing 10, 8, 4, and 2 genes, respectively. Notably, <i>CmGATA</i> genes within the same group have highly conserved protein motifs and similar exon-intron structures. The <i>CmGATA</i> family members are unevenly distributed across 10 chromosomes, with six pairs of segmentally duplicated genes and one pair of tandemly duplicated genes, suggesting that gene duplication may be the primary factor in the expansion of the <i>CmGATA</i> family. Melon shares 21, 4, 38, and 34 pairs of homologous genes with <i>A. thaliana</i>, <i>Oryza sativa</i>, <i>Cucumis sativus</i>, and <i>Citrullus lanatus</i>, respectively. The promoter regions are enriched with various <i>cis</i>-acting elements related to growth and development (eight types), hormone regulation (nine types), and stress responses (six types). Expression patterns indicate that different CmGATA family members are significantly expressed in seeds, roots, stems, leaves, tendrils, mesocarp, and epicarp, exhibiting distinct tissue-specific expression characteristics. Quantitative fluorescence analysis revealed that five genes, <i>CmGATA3</i>, <i>CmGATA7</i>, <i>CmGATA16</i>, <i>CmGATA22</i>, and <i>CmGATA24</i>, may be highly active under 48-h drought stress, while <i>CmGATA1</i> and <i>CmGATA22</i> may enhance melon resistance to heavy metal lead stress. Additionally, <i>CmGATA22</i> and <i>CmGATA24</i> are suggested to regulate melon resistance to <i>Fusarium</i> wilt infection. <i>CmGATA22</i> appears to comprehensively regulate melon responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Lastly, potential protein interaction networks were predicted for the CmGATA family members, identifying <i>CmGATA8</i> as a potential hub gene and predicting 2,230 target genes with enriched GO functions. This study preliminarily explores the expression characteristics of <i>CmGATA</i> genes under drought stress, heavy metal lead stress, and <i>Fusarium</i> wilt infection, providing a theoretical foundation for molecular mechanisms in melon improvement and stress resistance.