The TCP transcription factors and their expression in drought stress response in Moringa oleifera

Abstract The TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) transcription factor family plays a crucial role in plant growth, development, secondary metabolite synthesis, and response to abiotic stress. We chose to study this gene family in the medicinally significant plant, Moringa oleifera to check its role in drought-stress response of the plant. The 21-day-old M. oleifera saplings were subjected to water deprivation, resulting in notable physiological and biochemical changes as evidenced by the catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) levels. A total of 20 MolTCP s were identified throughout the M. oleifera genome, of which 19 MolTCP s were taken up for further biochemical characterization. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the 19 MolTCPs were categorized into two classes: class I (group 1, PCF) and class II (group 2, CIN and group 3, CYC/TB1). These genes were mapped to nine of the fourteen chromosomes in the M. oleifera genome. Conserved motif analysis identified a diverse array of stress-responsive elements. Expression analysis revealed that MolTCPs belonging to the class II group were upregulated in response to drought stress. Specifically, genes in the CIN and CYC/TB1 subgroups exhibited increased expression, indicating their potential involvement in regulating drought-responsive pathways. The findings of this study provide a foundation for further functional characterization of selected TCP coding genes in M. oleifera and other economically important plants.