Abstract The B-box transcription factor plays an important role in plant growth and development processes. However, information is lacking on the B-box genes in peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch). Many studies have been published on the B-box genes’ response to light, but far fewer on abiotic stress response, especially to low temperature. Here, we identified 22 members of the B-box gene family in peach, and provided an integrated overview of detailed information, phylogenetic analysis, exon–intron structures, conserved motifs, chromosomal distribution, synteny analysis, and cis-elements prediction of each member. Peach fruit were stored at 0 °C and 4 °C for 28 days and subsequent shelf life of three days to investigate the potential role of BBX genes in cold adaption and occurrence of chilling injury (CI) of postharvest peaches. Cis-elements analysis showed that the corresponding low-temperature responsive (LTR) were found in the promoters of peach B-box genes PpBBX3, 6, 10, 12, 15, 19-2, 20, 22, and 26. The expression levels of PpBBX3, 6, 12, 15, 20, and 26 are remarkably increased in fruit without CI during cold storage and subsequent shelf life, but remained at low level in CI fruit. And significant negative correlation was observed between expression of the six genes and the occurrence of CI of peach fruit. These results revealed that PpBBX3, 6, 12, 15, 20, and 26 were related to cold adaption of peaches during storage. The findings established a foundation for functionally characterizing the B-box gene family members and obtained potential candidate genes against cold stress for postharvest peaches.

中文翻译：

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桃果实采后冷藏及后续货架期B-box基因家族全基因组鉴定及表达分析

摘要 B-box转录因子在植物生长发育过程中起着重要作用。然而，缺乏关于桃中 B-box 基因的信息（Prunus persica L. Batsch）。许多关于 B-box 基因对光的反应的研究已经发表，但关于非生物胁迫反应，尤其是对低温的反应则少得多。在这里，我们鉴定了桃中 B-box 基因家族的 22 个成员，并提供了详细信息、系统发育分析、外显子-内含子结构、保守基序、染色体分布、同线性分析和每个成员的顺式元件预测的综合概述. 桃果实在 0°C 和 4°C 下储存 28 天，随后的保质期为 3 天，以研究 BBX 基因在桃子的冷适应和冷害 (CI) 发生中的潜在作用。顺式元件分析表明，在桃B-box基因PpBBX3、6、10、12、15、19-2、20、22和26的启动子中发现了相应的低温响应（LTR）。 PpBBX3, 6, 12, 15, 20, 26在冷藏和随后的保质期内在没有CI的水果中显着增加，但在CI水果中保持在较低水平。6个基因的表达与桃果实CI的发生呈显着负相关。这些结果表明，PpBBX3、6、12、15、20和26与桃子贮藏期间的冷适应有关。该研究结果为从功能上表征 B-box 基因家族成员奠定了基础，并获得了桃子采后抗冷胁迫的潜在候选基因。