Genome-Wide Survey and Expression Analysis of the Basic Leucine Zipper (bZIP) Gene Family in Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

The transcription factors (TFs) family known as the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) plays a vital role in a variety of biological processes. However, there is no investigation on the bZIP family in the major vegetable crop, eggplant. Here, a total of 71 SmbZIP genes were identified from the eggplant genome and compared with other 18 representative plants. According to the topology of the phylogenetic tree, as well as the categorization and nomenclature of bZIP genes in Arabidopsis and Solanum lycopersicum, the SmbZIP family was classified into 13 groups. Analysis of the chromosome location, motif composition and gene structure of the SmbZIP genes were also performed. Gene duplication analysis revealed that the expansion of the SmbZIP genes was mainly attributed to WGD/segmental duplication. Promoter analysis of the SmbZIP genes and examination of the expression patterns of SmbZIP genes under four abiotic pressures revealed that many SmbZIP genes are related to the control of abiotic stresses. Altogether, the identification, categorization, phylogenetic analysis, chromosome distribution, motif composition, and expression patterns of SmbZIPs were predicted and examined. Importantly, this investigation of SmbZIPs offers a wealth of information that will assist researchers in better understanding their function in eggplant.