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The LBD family is a plant-specific transcription factor family that plays an important role in a variety of biological processes. However, the function of IbLBD genes in sweet potato remains unclear. In this study, we identified a total of 53 IbLBD genes in sweet potato. Genetic structure showed that most of the IbLBD genes contained only two exons. Following the phylogenetic investigation, the IbLBD gene family was separated into Class I (45 members) and Class II (8) members. Both classes of proteins contained relatively conservative Motif1 and Motif2 domains. The chromosomal locations, gene duplications, promoters, PPI network, and GO annotation of the sweet potato LBD genes were also investigated. Furthermore, gene expression profiling and real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that the expression of 12 IbLBD genes altered in six separate tissues and under various abiotic stresses. The IbLBD genes belonging to Class I were mostly expressed in the primary root, the pencil root, and the leaves of sweet potatoes, while the genes belonging to Class II were primarily expressed in the various sweet potato roots. The IbLBD genes belonging to Class I were mostly expressed in the primary root, the pencil root, and the leaves of sweet potatoes, while the genes belonging to Class II were primarily expressed in the fibrous root, pencil root, and tuber root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• F-box genes are among the most abundant functionally diverse plant-specific TFs. • F-box genes regulate several developmental processes in plants. • Genome-wide characterization yielded 243F-box genes in sweet potato. • Segmental duplication is the principal factor influencing the evolution of the IbFBX genes. • IbFBX genes exhibit differential expression patterns in response to abiotic stress. In this study, genome-wide characterization of F-box proteins in sweet potato yielded 243 IbFBX genes, unevenly distributed on the 15 chromosomes of sweet potato. Gene duplication analysis suggested segmental duplication as the principal factor influencing the expansive evolution of IbFBX genes in sweet potato. Phylogenetic analysis clustered F-box proteins in sweet potato, Arabidopsis , and rice into six clades (I-VI). Gene structure analysis of the IbFBX genes revealed that most of the genes within the same clade were highly conserved. Expression profiles of IbFBX family genes in 9 different tissues and under stress conditions revealed that the IbFBXs were highly upregulated or downregulated in response to salt and drought stress, suggesting their significant roles in abiotic stress response and adaptation. Knowledge of the diverse functions and expression patterns of IbFBXs presents a solid theoretical basis for annotating the functions of IbFBXs and further facilitate the molecular breeding of sweet potato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]