Identification and Analysis of DUF506 Gene Family in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)

The Domain of Unknown Function 506 (DUF506) family, part of the PD-(D/E)XK nuclease superfamily, has been shown to play a vital role in plant development and responses to abiotic stresses. However, the function of the DUF506 family in cultivated peanuts remains unknown. This study identified 23 <i>AhDUF506</i> genes using bioinformatics approaches; these genes are spread across 15 chromosomes and grouped into 4 subfamilies. Additionally, by analyzing gene structure, upstream cis-acting elements, and transcriptional expression changes of <i>AhDUF506</i> genes in different tissues and under various stress conditions, their expression levels and response mechanisms to abiotic stresses were examined. In mature tissues, the expression levels of seven <i>AhDUF506</i> genes in flowers were significantly higher than those in other tissues. Under abiotic stress, their expression levels were all up-regulated in the roots of peanut plant seedlings. These findings provide an important foundation for a deeper understanding of the molecular characteristics of the DUF506 family in <i>Arachis hypogaea</i> (peanut), supporting future research on the functional characterization of its genes.