Step by step evolution of Indeterminate Domain (IDD) transcriptional regulators: from algae to angiosperms

Area of Science:

• Plant molecular biology
• Evolutionary genomics
• Transcription factor research

Background:

• Indeterminate Domain (IDD) proteins are plant-specific C2H2 Zinc Finger transcription factors.
• Their roles in plant metabolism and development are largely unknown.
• The molecular evolution of the IDD subfamily requires detailed exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reconstruct the phylogeny of IDD genes across green plants (Viridiplantae).
• To describe the motifs and expression patterns of IDD genes.
• To establish a framework for orthology relationships of plant IDD transcription factors.

Main Methods:

• Mining available genome sequences of green plants (Viridiplantae).
• Phylogenetic reconstruction of IDD genes.
• Analysis of IDD gene motifs and expression patterns.

Main Results:

• Identified complete sets of IDD genes in 16 Streptophyta genomes.
• IDD and STOP clades originated from a duplication at the base of Streptophyta.
• IDD genes duplicated extensively on land, forming at least ten lineages, with significant diversification in angiosperms.

Conclusions:

• IDDs were present in the common ancestor of Streptophyta and duplicated extensively after colonization of land.
• Angiosperms recruited and diversified IDDs significantly in number and sequence, correlating with novel plant traits.
• This study provides a robust orthology framework for plant IDD transcription factors, aiding gene identification in various species.