Comprehensive Analysis of the GiTCP Gene Family and Its Expression Under UV-B Radiation in Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat

TCP is a plant-specific transcription factor that plays an important role in plant growth and development. In this study, we used bioinformatics to identify the entire genome of the TCP gene family in Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat, and we analyzed the expression characteristics of GiTCP genes under UV-B radiation using qRT-PCR. The results were as follows: (1) 24 members of the TCP gene family were identified in G. inflata, evenly distributed on its 24 chromosomes. (2) The GiTCP genes contained 0-4 introns and 0-5 exons. (3) The GiTCP genes were phylogenetically divided into three subfamilies-PCF, CIN, and CYC/TB1, with 14, 9, and 1 GiTCP proteins, respectively. (4) A covariance analysis showed that two pairs of GiTCP genes underwent a fragmentary duplication event. (5) A cis-element analysis showed that the cis-responsive elements of the GiTCP genes' promoter regions were mainly comprised of light-responsive, stress-responsive, hormone-regulated, growth and development, and metabolic-regulated elements. (6) A protein network interaction analysis revealed a total of 14 functional molecules of TCPs and 8 potential interacting proteins directly related to GiTCP proteins. (7) GO annotation showed that the GiTCP genes were mainly enriched in BP, CC, and MF groups and had corresponding functions. (8) RNA-seq and qRT-PCR further indicated that GiTCP3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 17, 23, and 24 were up- or down-regulated in G. inflata after UV-B radiation, demonstrating that these genes responded to UV-B radiation in G. inflata. (9) Subcellular localization analysis showed that the GiTCP8 protein was localized in the nucleus. The results of this study provide a basis for further exploration of the function of the GiTCP gene family in the growth and development of G. inflata.