• As the most important transcription factor in the brassinosteroid (BR) signal transduction pathway, BES1 not only affects growth and development of plants but also regulates stress resistance of crops.
• The physicochemical properties, gene structure, cis ‐acting elements and gene chip expression of apple BES1 transcription factors were analysed using bioinformatics, and expression of this gene family was analysed with qRT‐PCR.
• There were 22 members of the apple BES1 transcription factors, distributed on eight chromosomes, divided into seven subtribes (I–VII), and the same subtribe contained the same basic motifs. Gene structure analysis showed that the number and position of exons differed, and there was no upstream and downstream structure. Analysis of cis ‐acting elements indicated that BES1 transcription factors contain response elements for hormones and abiotic stress, as well as organ‐specific elements. Gene chip expression profile analysis revealed that expression patterns of BES1 transcription factors differed in different apple hybrids and different organs. In addition, expression of apple BES1 genes was higher in flowers, young fruits, mature fruits and leaves. qRT‐PCR demonstrated that expression of MdBES1 genes was highest 12 h after BR induction. At the same time, there were differences in expression in response to PEG, NaCl and MeJA.
• This paper provides a theoretical basis for analysis of the biological function and stress resistance mechanism of BES1 transcription factors in apple.

中文翻译：

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苹果（Malus domestica）中BES1基因家族的全基因组鉴定和表征。

• 作为油菜素内酯（BR）信号转导途径中最重要的转录因子，BES1不仅影响植物的生长发育，还调节农作物的抗逆性。
• 利用生物信息学技术分析了苹果BES1转录因子的理化特性，基因结构，顺式作用元件和基因芯片表达，并通过qRT-PCR分析了该基因家族的表达。
• 苹果BES1转录因子有22个成员，分布在8个染色体上，分为7个亚群（I–VII），同一亚群包含相同的基本基序。基因结构分析表明外显子的数量和位置不同，并且没有上游和下游结构。对顺式作用元件的分析表明，BES1转录因子包含激素和非生物应激的响应元件以及器官特异性元件。基因芯片表达谱分析表明，BES1转录因子的表达模式在不同的苹果杂种和不同器官中有所不同。另外，苹果BES1的表达花，幼果，成熟果实和叶片中的基因较高。qRT-PCR证实BR诱导后12 h MdBES1基因表达最高。同时，对PEG，NaCl和MeJA的反应表达也存在差异。
• 本文为分析苹果BES1转录因子的生物学功能和抗逆机理提供了理论依据。