Genome wide identification, genomic organization, and expression profiling of the CONSTANS-like (COL) gene family in petunia under multiple stresses

CONSTANS-like (CO-like, COL) is a putative zinc-finger transcription factor family that plays a key role in the control of flowering time in photoperiod-sensitive plants. Besides, the COL family protein is also involved in plant development, responses to stresses. However, information on plant development and stress response related function has not been previously performed in any solanaceous crop. In this study, a genome-wide analysis of COL gene family was conducted in petunia to elucidate their roles in organ development and stress response. A total of 33 COL genes (15 PaCOL genes in P. axillaris and 18 PiCOL genes in P. inflata) were identified in petunia. Subsequently, a genome-wide systematic analysis was performed in 15 PaCOL genes. Based on their amino acid sequence identity and domain composition they were phylogenetically classified into three groups those are conserved among the flowering plants. Similar gene structure and motif distribution were observed in the same group. ...