Genome-wide analysis of MADS-box gene family in sesame

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a major oilseed crop that plays a vital role in meeting the nutritional and edible oil demands of the global population. MADS-box genes represent an important class of transcription factors that regulate gene expression by modulating transcription initiation and interacting with specific cis-regulatory elements, thereby influencing plant growth, development and reproductive processes. However, detailed information on the MADS-box gene family in sesame remains limited, highlighting the need for in-depth genomic investigation. The present study aimed to identify and characterise MADS-box genes in sesame at the genome level. Multiple bioinformatics approaches were applied, including gene identification, structural characterisation, chromosomal mapping, domain prediction, conserved motif analysis, phylogenetic classification and cis-regulatory element exploration. The analysis led to the identification of 42 MADS-box genes in the sesame genome, which were classified into four groups: 25 MIKCc-type, 3 MIKC*-type, 12 Mα-type and 2 Mγ-type, indicating the predominance of type II genes. Functional annotation suggested that these genes are involved in diverse biological processes, particularly in plant growth, floral development and regulatory pathways.