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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Genome-Wide Characterization of the HSF Gene Family in Paulownia fortunei and Preliminary Functional Analysis of PfHSF6 in Drought Response

  • Jie Liu1,2
  • Chunyang Liu1,2
  • Linhuan Wang1,2
  • Zhenli Zhao1,2
  • Yabing Cao1,2
  1. 1Institute of Paulownia, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
  2. 2College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
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Abstract

Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) act as crucial regulatory components in plant stress regulatory network and play essential roles in abiotic stress adaptation, particularly drought tolerance. Here, we identified 36 PfHSF gene family members in Paulownia fortunei through genome-wide analysis. Their chromosomal distribution, physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, cis-acting elements, and post-translational modification sites were systematically characterized. Transcriptome-based expression profiling demonstrated distinct tissue-specific and drought-responsive expression patterns among PfHSF members, with PfHSF6 being strongly up-regulated under drought. Subcellular localization assays confirmed nuclear and plasma membrane localization of PfHSF6. Transient overexpression of PfHSF6 in tobacco significantly enhanced drought tolerance, as evidenced by alleviated wilting, a ~60% reduction in MDA content, ~2-fold increases in SOD and POD activities, and a ~67% reduction in electrolyte leakage relative to the control (p < 0.01); consistently, stress-responsive genes such as NbRD29A and NbLEA5 were up-regulated by ~6- and ~3-fold, respectively. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the PfHSF family and preliminary functional evidence for PfHSF6, offering candidate genes for further functional validation and potential drought-tolerance breeding in paulownia.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{liu2026genomewide,
  title = {{Genome-Wide Characterization of the HSF Gene Family in Paulownia fortunei and Preliminary Functional Analysis of PfHSF6 in Drought Response}},
  author = {Jie Liu and Chunyang Liu and Linhuan Wang and Zhenli Zhao and Yabing Cao},
  journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/ijms27209338},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9338},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Genome-Wide Characterization of the HSF Gene Family in Paulownia fortunei and Preliminary Functional Analysis of PfHSF6 in Drought Response
AU  - Jie Liu
AU  - Chunyang Liu
AU  - Linhuan Wang
AU  - Zhenli Zhao
AU  - Yabing Cao
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO  - 10.3390/ijms27209338
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9338
AB  - Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) act as crucial regulatory components in plant stress regulatory network and play essential roles in abiotic stress adaptation, particularly drought tolerance. Here, we identified 36 PfHSF gene family members in Paulownia fortunei through genome-wide analysis. Their chromosomal distribution, physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, cis-acting elements, and post-translational modification sites were systematically characterized. Transcriptome-based expression profiling demonstrated distinct tissue-specific and drought-responsive expression patterns among PfHSF members, with PfHSF6 being strongly up-regulated under drought. Subcellular localization assays confirmed nuclear and plasma membrane localization of PfHSF6. Transient overexpression of PfHSF6 in tobacco significantly enhanced drought tolerance, as evidenced by alleviated wilting, a ~60% reduction in MDA content, ~2-fold increases in SOD and POD activities, and a ~67% reduction in electrolyte leakage relative to the control (p < 0.01); consistently, stress-responsive genes such as NbRD29A and NbLEA5 were up-regulated by ~6- and ~3-fold, respectively. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the PfHSF family and preliminary functional evidence for PfHSF6, offering candidate genes for further functional validation and potential drought-tolerance breeding in paulownia.
SN  - 1422-0067
ER  -