Genome-Wide Exploration and Characterization of the TCP Gene Family’s Expression Patterns in Response to Abiotic Stresses in Siberian Wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.)

Siberian wildrye (<i>Elymus sibiricus</i> L.), a model <i>Elymus</i> Gramineae plant, has high eco-economic value but limited seed and forage yield. <i>TCP</i> transcription factors are widely regarded as influencing yield and quality and being crucial for growth and development; still, this gene family in Siberian wildrye remains unexplored. Therefore, this study looked at the Siberian wildrye <i>TCP</i> gene family's reaction to several abiotic stresses, its expression pattern, and its potential evolutionary path. Fifty-four members of the <i>EsTCP</i> gene family were discovered. There are two major subfamilies based on the phylogenetic tree: 27 of Class I (<i>PCF</i>) and 27 of Class II (12 <i>CIN</i>-type and 15 <i>TB1/CYC</i>-type). Gene structure, conserved motif, and sequence alignment analyses further validated this classification. <i>Cis</i>-elements found in the promoter region of <i>EsTCPs</i> are associated with lots of plant hormones and stress-related reactions, covering drought induction and cold tolerance. <i>EsCYC5</i>, <i>EsCYC6</i>, and <i>EsCYC7</i> may regulate tillering and lateral branch development. <i>EsPCF10</i>'s relative expression was significant under five stresses. Additionally, eight <i>EsTCP</i> genes are potential miR319 targets. These findings highlight the critical significance of the <i>TCP</i> gene family in Siberian wildrye, laying the groundwork for understanding the function of the EsTCP protein in abiotic stress studies and high-yield breeding.