Genome-Wide Identification of CaPLATZ Family Members in Pepper and Their Expression Profiles in Response to Drought Stress

<b>Background:</b> The plant AT-rich sequence and zinc binding (PLATZ) transcription factors constitute a zinc-dependent protein family implicated in various developmental processes and responses to abiotic stress. Nevertheless, comprehensive investigations on <i>PLATZ</i> gene functions in pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i>) have not been extensively performed. <b>Methods:</b> In the present study, bioinformatics methods coupled with quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were employed to characterize the phylogenetic relationships, chromosome distribution, structural composition, cis-regulatory elements, evolutionary dynamics, and expression responses of <i>CaPLATZ</i> genes under drought stress conditions. <b>Results:</b> Phylogenetic analyses categorized the <i>CaPLATZ</i> genes into four distinct subgroups, each exhibiting similar gene structures and conserved motif patterns within its subgroup. A total of 11 <i>CaPLATZ</i> genes were nonuniformly located across eight pepper chromosomes, and synteny analyses identified a duplication event involving a single gene pair. The assessment of cis-acting regulatory elements indicated potential involvement of <i>CaPLATZ</i> genes in responses to abiotic stresses and various phytohormones. Furthermore, qRT-PCR results revealed differential expression of most <i>CaPLATZ</i> genes under drought-induced stress. <b>Conclusions:</b> Collectively, these findings support the functional roles of <i>CaPLATZ</i> transcription factors in mediating developmental processes and enhancing drought tolerance in pepper.