Identification and expression responses of TCP gene family in Opisthopappus taihangensis under abiotic stress

The TCP gene family plays pivotal roles in the development and abiotic stress responses of plants; however, no data has been provided for this gene family in <i>Opisthopappus taihangensis</i>. Based on <i>O. taihangensis</i> genome, 14 <i>TCP</i> genes were identified and divided into two classes (I and II). After tandem and segmental duplication/whole-genome duplication (WGD), more loss and less gain events of OtTCPs occurred, which might be related with the underwent purifying selection during the evolution. The conserved motifs and structures of <i>OtTCP</i> genes contained light response, growth and development, hormone response, and stress-related cis-acting elements. Different <i>OtTCP</i> genes, even duplicated gene pairs, could be expressed in different tissues, which implied that <i>OtTCP</i> genes had diverse function. Among OtTCPs, <i>OtTCP4</i>, <i>9</i> and <i>11</i> of CYC clade (Class II) presented a relative wide expression pattern with no or one intron. The three <i>TCP</i> genes could be regarded as important candidate factors for <i>O. taihangensis</i> in growth, development and stress response. These results provided some clues and references for the further in-depth exploration of <i>O. taihangensis</i> resistance mechanisms, as well as those of other unique eco-environment plants.