Discovery AP2/ERF family genes in silico in Medicago truncatula

Medicago truncatula is a legume model plant due to its small genome and it has been used to study the molecular events of legume biology. As a crucial plant-specific gene family, AP2/EREBP transcription factors (TFs) are important for plant development and biotic and abiotic stress responses. The purpose of the work was to determine AP2/ERF family genes in silico of M. truncatula , and also sheds light on molecular mechanism of stress responses of AP2/EREBPs. We investigated AP2/ERF family genes of M. truncatula using BLAST search. Thirty-seven (37) AP2/ERF family genes were identified and sorted into the corresponding subfamily or subgroup, with sequences alignment and phylogenetic analysis of the AP2-like TFs proteins between in Arabidopsis and in M. truncatula , and expression patterns of putative 35 AP2/ERF family genes in M. truncatula were revealed. Identification of AP2/ERF family genes would make them easier to clone and position those functional genes, and which also would open new opportunities for the study of molecular regulatory network of stress resistance in M. truncatula . Keywords : Medicago truncatula , transcription factor, AP2/ERF African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(23), pp. 3636-3642