In Silico Identification and Expression Analysis of Nuclear Factor Y (Nf-Y) Transcription Factors in Cucumber

The nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) transcription factors (TFs) play vital regulatory roles in diverse developmental processes and responses to abiotic stresses in plants. However, the NF-Y genes remain largely unknown in cucumber. In this study, based on phylogenetic and protein structure analyses, we identified 27 CsaNF-Y members of this gene family in the cucumber genome, including 7 NF-YAs, 13 NF-YBs, and 7 NF-YCs. Their chromosome locations, gene structures, conserved domains, gene duplication, and promoter regions containing stress- and hormone-responsive cis-elements were also analyzed. As reported earlier, RNA-seq data showed that the expression of some CsaNF-Y genes was tissue-specific and varied during fruit development. The qRT-PCR results showed that all the detected CsaNF-Y genes were differentially regulated by drought and salt stress. Taken together, our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of CsaNF-Y genes in the development and abiotic stress response of cucumber and lay the foundation for future crop improvement.