The DNA-binding one zinc finger (Dof) proteins are a type of transcription factor (TF) specific to plants that are involved in various aspects of their biological processes. Although the Dof TF has been identified in a variety of species, its systemic analysis in tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is lacking and its potential role in this plant's nitrogen remobilization remains unclear. Here, we carried out a genome-wide identification of Dofs in tea and identified 41 CsDofs at the chromosome level. Their genetic structure, conserved motif, and synteny relations were analyzed and visualized, using information extracted from a newly available genome database. Phylogenetic analysis of Dofs from seven different plant species revealed that Dof members could be clustered into six groups. Heatmap analysis showed that CsDofs have similar expression patterns among different species of genus Camellia, and tissue-specific transcription patterns among tea tissues. Expression patterns of CsDofs in mature leaves during the development of new shoots revealed that most of CsDofs peaked on March 24 when the new shoots developed into one bud and two leaves. Furthermore, the expression pattern of CsDof13/16/29/33/34/35/36/39 was significantly correlated with that of genes involved in N metabolism, such as GDH or GS, indicating these CsDofs might play roles in regulating the expression of genes participating in N metabolism of tea. Taken together, this study provides information on the genome-wide identification of the CsDofs’ family in tea, and identifies putative candidates possible involved in N remobilization in mature leaves during the development of new shoots in spring.

结合 DNA 的锌指 (Dof) 蛋白是一种转录因子 (TF)，对涉及植物生物过程各个方面的植物具有特异性。尽管已在多种物种中鉴定出 Dof TF，但缺乏对茶 ( Camellia sinensis L.) 的系统分析，其在该植物氮再动员中的潜在作用仍不清楚。在这里，我们对茶中的Dof进行了全基因组鉴定，并鉴定了 41 个CsDof在染色体水平。使用从新可用的基因组数据库中提取的信息，对它们的遗传结构、保守基序和同线性关系进行了分析和可视化。来自七种不同植物物种的自由度的系统发育分析表明，自由度成员可以分为六组。热图分析表明，CsDofs在不同山茶属物种之间具有相似的表达模式，在茶组织之间具有组织特异性转录模式。新芽发育过程中成熟叶中CsDofs的表达模式显示，大部分CsDofs在3月24日达到高峰，此时新芽发育为一芽两叶。此外，表达模式CsDof13/16/29/33/34/35/36/39与参与氮代谢的基因（如GDH或GS）显着相关，表明这些CsDof可能在调节参与氮代谢的基因表达中发挥作用的茶。总之，这项研究提供了关于茶中CsDofs家族的全基因组鉴定的信息，并确定了可能参与春季新芽发育过程中成熟叶片中 N 再动员的假定候选物。