Identification and expression analysis of MADS-box transcription factor family genes in wild olive (Olea europaea L. var. oleaster) genome

Olive tree that grown in Mediterranean region, is commercially important for its fruits. The positive impacts of olive on country economy and human health increases its importance. Several genes take place in olive for growth and developmental stages. The activities of these genes are regulated by transcription factors. In this way, the genes that functions in many biological pathways like development, reproduction, signal transduction and response to stress can be regulated. MADS-Box transcription factor family plays role in plant, gametophyte, embryo, flower and fruit development and as well as in morphological development of root and leaf tissues. In this study, the characterization, functional annotation and expression analysis of MADS-Box TFs was performed in wild type olive genome. The data obtained from Internatioal Olive Genome Consortium (IOGC) genome survey sequence and tissue specific deep RNA sequence (Seq) was analyzed in detail and genome-wide MADS-Box TF genes expressions were measured. 118 genes encoding MADS-Box TF were detected. These genes classified as Mα, Mβ, Mγ, MIKC and the number of genes was 22, 5, 25, and 66, respectively. Gene ontology analysis showed that gene expression, reproduction and development were significant processes for MADS-Box TFs in olive. RNA-Seq data were used to construct heat map displaying the gene expressions between tissues and seasons. Besides molecular characterization of MADS-Box TFs, five selected MADS-Box TF genes showing differentially expression between tissues were measured via qRT-PCR assays. Also the interaction of these genes with miRNAs and their targets were investigated and it was found that MADS-Box TF genes play active role in olive flower and seed development in addition, these genes might have a role in vegetative organ development and oil biosynthesis.