Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the MADS-Box Gene Family in Cassava (Manihot esculenta)

The MADS-box gene family constitutes a vital group of transcription factors that play significant roles in regulating plant growth, development, and signal transduction processes. However, research on the MADS-box genes in cassava (Manihot esculenta) has been relatively limited. To gain deeper insights into the functions of the MADS-box genes in cassava development, in this study, we undertook a comprehensive genome-wide identification of the MADS-box gene family in cassava. We identified a total of 86 MADS-box genes with complete domains in the cassava genome, designated as MeMADS01 to MeMADS86. Through bioinformatic analyses, we investigated the basic physicochemical properties, conserved motifs, chromosomal locations, and phylogenetic relationships of the cassava MADS-box genes. The MADS-box gene family of cassava exhibited conservation, as well as species-specific characteristics, with intron loss being a predominant mode of evolution for the MADS-box genes. Expression pattern variations in the MeMADS genes across different tissues offer insights into their potential functions. Time-ordered gene co-expression network (TO-GCN), transcriptome data, and RT-qPCR analysis suggested the responsiveness of the MADS-box genes to drought stress. Meanwhile, MeMADS12 might be involved in regulating flowering under drought conditions via an ABA (abscisic acid)-dependent pathway. These findings provide valuable resources for a deeper understanding of the biological roles of the MADS-box genes in cassava.