Received: Aug 02, 2024 / Accepted: Jan 17, 2025 / Published: Mar 31, 2025
The YABBY transcription factor (TF) family is a group of plant-specific proteins characterized by a unique structure comprised of a C2C2 zinc finger domain and a helix-loop-helix YABBY domain. These TFs play crucial roles in regulating various aspects of plant development, such as lateral organ formation and leaf polarity, as well as mediating responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. This study investigated the potential functions and expression profiles of 13 genes encoding the YABBY TF family in cassava (Manihot esculenta) under various stress conditions. Through a comprehensive analysis of promoter regions, we identified numerous cis-regulatory elements (CREs) associated with abiotic stress responses and phytohormone regulation. Specific CREs, such as low-temperature responsive elements and MYB recognize sites, were linked to cold and drought responses, respectively, suggesting their involvement in stress adaptation. RNA-Seq analysis under drought and PEG6000 treatments revealed significant transcriptional changes, with several YABBY genes being upregulated or downregulated, indicating their roles in drought tolerance and water use efficiency. Under biotic stress conditions, specifically cassava brown strike disease inoculation, YABBY genes exhibited diverse expression patterns, with notable downregulation of certain genes, suggesting their potential regulatory roles in stress responses. Taken together, these findings highlighted the diverse and critical functions of YABBY TFs in cassava's stress resilience and developmental processes.
