Genome-wide identification of oat TCP gene family and expression patterns under abiotic stress

TCP transcription factors are a unique class of transcription factors that play important roles in alleviating abiotic stresses such as drought and salt. In this study, the whole-genome data of three cultivated varieties, namely, "SFS", "Sang" and "OT3098v2", were utilized to identify and analyze the members of the <i>TCP</i> gene family in oats, and their responses to two abiotic stresses, drought and salt, were also investigated. Results showed that there are 83, 65, and 30 non-redundant <i>TCP</i> genes in the three oats, with the highest number of <i>TCP</i> genes specific to the "SFS", reaching 22 genes. The oat <i>TCP</i> genes can be classified into three subfamilies: PCF, CIN, and CYC/TB1. Most <i>AsTCP</i> genes have important motifs, Motif 1 and Motif 2, which are part of the bHLH domain. Additionally, various cis-acting elements related to hormone response, abiotic stress, light response, and growth and development were found in the promoters of <i>AsTCP</i> genes. The main amplification mechanism of the oat <i>TCP</i> gene family is fragment duplication. Two tandem duplications, <i>AsTCP058</i>/<i>AsTCP059</i> and <i>AsTCP023</i>/<i>AsTCP025</i>, are stably present in the three oats. The highest number of <i>AsTCP</i> collinear relationships exist in the "SFS" with 89 pairs. After drought and salt stress treatments, significant differences in gene expression were observed among different oat cultivars and treatment periods. Genes that showed significant expression changes under both treatments (<i>AsTCP021</i>, <i>AsTCP033</i>, <i>AsTCP044</i>, <i>AsTCP053</i>, and <i>AsTCP058</i>) may play important roles in oat's response to abiotic stresses. Notably, <i>AsTCP053</i> gene was significantly upregulated at 24 h of stress treatment and showed a more sensitive response to salt stress. This study provides insights into the functional characterization of the oat <i>TCP</i> gene family and its molecular mechanisms underlying stress tolerance.