Comparative Analysis and Expression Identification of the AP2/ERF Gene Family in Tetraploid Triticum turgidum subsp. durum and other Wheat Families

In order to explore the mechanism of AP2/ERF family genes in durum wheat and other wheat families in response to abiotic stress, bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the published data of Triticum turgidum subsp. durum, Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides and Aegilops tauschii in the whole genome. 215, 232 and 139 members of AP2/ERF gene family in different species were identified. The similarity and difference of AP2/ERF gene family in genome location, gene structure and promoter cis-acting elements were also identified. The expression patterns of these AP2/ERF genes were analyzed using the transcriptome data of Triticum turgidum subsp. durum at different developmental stages and under abiotic stress. 6 AP2/ERF genes were found to play a certain role in regulating the endosperm development of Triticum turgidum subsp. durum. There were 23 AP2/ERF genes up-regulated in postflowering heat stress response of Triticum turgidum subsp. durum, 13 of which could respond to both pre-flowering water shortage and postflowering heat stress response of Triticum turgidum subsp. durum.