Identification and Characterization of PLATZ Transcription Factors in Wheat

The PLATZ (plant AT-rich protein and zinc-binding protein) transcription factor family is a class of plant-specific zinc-dependent DNA-binding proteins. PLATZ has essential roles in seed endosperm development, as well as promoting cell proliferation duration in the earlier stages of the crops. In the present study, 62 <i>TaPLATZ</i> genes were identified from the wheat genome, and they were unequally distributed on 15 chromosomes. According to the phylogenetic analysis, 62 <i>TaPLATZ</i> genes were classified into six groups, including two groups that were unique in wheat. Members in the same groups shared similar exon-intron structures. The polyploidization, together with genome duplication of wheat, plays a crucial role in the expansion of the <i>TaPLATZs</i> family. Transcriptome data indicated a distinct divergence expression pattern of <i>TaPLATZ</i> genes that could be clustered into four modules. The <i>TaPLATZs</i> in Module b possessed a seed-specific expression pattern and displayed obvious high expression in the earlier development stage of seeds. Subcellular localization data of <i>TaPLATZs</i> suggesting that they likely perform a function as a conventional transcription factor. This study provides insight into understanding the structure divergence, evolutionary features, expression profiles, and potential function of PLATZ in wheat.