Genome-Wide Analysis of the DNA-Binding One Zinc Finger (Dof) Family in Vigna Species: Unveiling Insights into Transcriptional Regulation

The Dof (DNA-Binding One Zinc Finger) transcription factor family is unique to plants and performs various functions associated with activities unique to plants, including defense mechanisms, light and phytohormone responses, and seed development and germination. Though genome-wide studies have been carried out for this family in many species, but there is scarce information about Dof genes in Vigna species. In the current study, 79 non-redundant Dof proteins including 35 of them were found in V. angularis, 33 in V. radiata, and 11 in V. unguiculata. Furthermore, a comparative study was conducted on 33 non-redundant Dof proteins found in Arabidopsis thaliana. All of the identified Dof proteins in the Vigna species were found in the nucleus, according to predicted subcellular localization, which is consistent with the Dof proteins' known function as transcription factors. Moreover. All three Vigna species have several Dof proteins with predicted nuclear localization signals, suggesting a possible function for these proteins in nuclear transport and localization. Most Dof proteins were shown to have no introns by gene structure analysis; however, a small number of genes have one or two introns. The motif distribution analysis revealed motifs that were preserved over various clusters, with certain motifs being more common in particular clusters. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to assess the evolutionary hierarchy between the Dof proteins of Arabidopsis thaliana and Vigna species that revealed four major clusters, with cluster I having the greatest number of Dof proteins. These results could contribute to a better understanding of and roles of Dof genes in Vigna species.