Analysis of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family in Eriobotrya japonica and its role in exogenous melatonin-mediated regulation of salt stress

AP2/ERF transcription factors (TFs) are involved in various regulatory pathways related to plant growth, development, and stress responses. The growth of Eriobotrya japonica, a popular fruit and medicinal plant, is affected by salt stress. Currently, the functions of E. japonica AP2/ERF in response to salt stress and its role in alleviating salt stress caused by exogenous melatonin (MT) remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, a bioinformatics approach was used to analyze the AP2/ERF TF family of E. japonica and its expression patterns under exogenous MT-regulated salt stress. A total of 187 AP2/ERF TFs on 18 chromosomes were identified in E. japonica, and phylogenetic analyses classified them into four subfamilies: AP2, ERF, DREB, and RAV. Each subfamily contains a relatively large number of biotic or abiotic stresses and hormone related cis-acting elements. There are 61 DEGs of EjAP2/ERF involved in the regulation of NaCl stress by exogenous melatonin. Among these genes,, seven DEGs were involved in the response to ethylene and defense signals under salt stress. These genes are involved in the regulation of NaCl-stressed E. japonica by exogenous MT by activating or repressing the transcription of downstream target genes. Notably, EjERF11, EjERF73, and EjERF86 may have functions similar to those of their homologous genes and may serve as vital genes for salt tolerance. This study is the first to investigate the functions of EjAP2/ERF genes in exogenous MT-regulated salt stress, and provides a theoretical foundation for exploring more features of AP2/ERF genes and a basis for breeding E. japonica with salt stress resistance.