Genome-wide identification and characterization of F-box family proteins in sweet potato and its expression analysis under abiotic stress.

• 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]