Genome-wide Identification and Characterization of the Strawberry (Fragaria Vesca) FvAP2/ERF Gene Family in Abiotic Stress

The APETALA2/ethylene responsive AP2/ERF element-binding factors (AP2/ERFs), as a class of transcription factors (TFs), play an important role in plant growth and development as well as various biotic and/or abiotic stresses responses. AP2/ERF gene families have been widely identified in a lot of plants, but there was little known about this gene family in strawberry. To investigate the characteristics and functions of strawberry FvAP2/ERF gene family in abiotic stresses, a total of 139 FvAP2/ERF genes were identified in this study. The sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis clustered AP2/ERF gene family into four subfamilies (AP2, RAV, ERF, and DREB). Chromosome location analysis revealed that the tandem duplication and the whole-genome duplications (WGDs) may result in the expansion of FvAP2/ERF gene family. The qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) indicated 14 FvAP2/ERFs underwent up- or down-regulated expression in response to abiotic stresses. In summary, these results offered vital information for further evolutionary and functional characterization of FvAP2/ERF genes, and it also gave some guidance for improving the resistance of strawberry in the growth process. Ultimately, this study may contribute to the selection and breeding of high-yield, high-quality, and highly resistant strawberry varieties.