Comprehensive Characterization of B-Box Zinc Finger Genes in Citrullus lanatus and Their Response to Hormone and Abiotic Stresses

Plant B-BOX (BBX) zinc finger transcription factors play crucial roles in growth and development the stress response. Although BBX family has been characterized various plants, systematic analysis watermelon is still lacking. In this study, 25 ClBBX genes were identified. ClBBXs grouped into five clades (Clade I, II, III, IV, V) based on their conserved domains phylogenetic relationships. Most of (84%) might be localized nuclei or cytoplasm. The classification was consistent with gene structures. They unevenly distributed nine chromosomes except for Chr4 Chr10, largest number six members Chr2. Segmental duplications major factor expansion. Some BBXs Arabidopsis evolved from a common ancestor. total, 254 hormonal stress-responsive cis elements discovered promoters. differentially expressed tissues, expression levels ClBBX15 16 higher aboveground tissues than roots, while patterns ClBBX21a, 21b, 21c, 28 30b opposite. With salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate salt conditions, 17, 18 exhibited significant changes, respectively. addition, many ClBBXs, including ClBBX29b, 30a 30b, also responsive to cold osmotic stress. summary, simultaneous response multiple abiotic suggests that they may have functional interactions hormone network. Clarifying key transcriptional regulation mediating protein will an important task. Our comprehensive characterization provides vital clues in-depth biological functions signaling pathways.