Genome-Wide Identification and Evolutionary Analysis of the GATA Transcription Factor Family in Nitrogen-Fixing Legumes

GATA transcription factors are crucial for plant development and environmental responses, yet their roles in plant evolution and root nodule symbiosis are still not well understood. This study identified GATA genes across the genomes of 77 representative plant species, revealing that this gene family originated in Charophyta and significantly expanded in both gymnosperms and angiosperms. Phylogenetic analyses, along with examinations of conserved motifs and cis-regulatory elements in <i>Glycine max</i> and <i>Arabidopsis</i>, clearly demonstrated structural and functional divergence within the GATA family. Chromosomal mapping and synteny analysis indicated that GATA gene expansion in soybean primarily resulted from whole-genome duplication events. These genes also exhibit high conservation and signs of purifying selection in <i>Glycine max</i>, <i>Lotus japonicus</i>, and <i>Medicago truncatula</i>. Furthermore, by integrating phylogenetic and transcriptomic data from eight nitrogen-fixing legume species, several GATA genes were identified as strongly co-expressed with <i>NIN1</i>, suggesting their potential co-regulatory roles in nodule development and symbiosis. Collectively, this study offers a comprehensive overview of the evolutionary dynamics of the GATA gene family and highlights their potential involvement in root nodule symbiosis in legumes, thus providing a theoretical foundation for future mechanistic studies.