Identification and expression analysis of nuclear factor Y transcription factor genes under drought, cold and Eldana infestation in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid).

Background: The Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y) transcription factor (TF) gene family plays a crucial role in plant development and response to stress. Limited information is available on this gene family in sugarcane.

Objectives: To identify sugarcane NF-Y genes through bioinformatic analysis and phylogenetic association and investigate the expression of these genes in response to abiotic and biotic stress.

Methods: Sugarcane NF-Y genes were identified using comparative genomics from functionally annotated Poaceae and Arabidopsis species. Quantitative PCR and transcriptome analysis assigned preliminary functional roles to these genes in response to water deficit, cold and African sugarcane borer (Eldana saccharina) infestation.

Results: We identify 21 NF-Y genes in sugarcane. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three main branches representing the subunits with potential discrepancies present in the assignment of numerical names of some NF-Y putative orthologs across the different species. Gene expression analysis indicated that three genes, ShNF-YA1, A3 and B3 were upregulated and two genes, NF-YA4 and A7 were downregulated, while three genes were upregulated, ShNF-YB2, B3 and C4, in the plants exposed to water deficit and cold stress, respectively. Functional involvement of NF-Y genes in the biotic stress response were also detected where three genes, ShNF-YA6, A3 and A7 were downregulated in the early resistant (cv. N33) response to Eldana infestation whilst only ShNF-YA6 was downregulated in the susceptible (cv. N11) early response.

Conclusions: Our research findings establish a foundation for investigating the function of ShNF-Ys and offer candidate genes for stress-resistant breeding and improvement in sugarcane.