Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the PYL gene family in response to salt, drought and cold stresses in Solanum melongena L.

This study presents the first genome-wide identification of 24 Sm-PYL genes in eggplant, classified into three subfamilies. Structural and evolutionary analyses revealed conserved motifs, purifying selection, and gene family expansion through duplication. Comparative genomics with tomato, potato and pepper identified 86 syntenic pairs, highlighting evolutionary conservation. Promoter analysis uncovered stress- and hormone-related cis-elements, while expression profiling linked specific Sm-PYLs to salt/drought (Sm-PYL1/12/14/15/23) and cold (Sm-PYL7/9/10/13/16/23/24) responses. These findings enhance understanding of ABA-mediated stress tolerance in eggplant and provide a basis for future functional studies to improve abiotic stress resilience.