Comprehensive analysis of AHL gene family and their expression under drought stress and ABA treatment in

The AT-hook motif nuclear-localized (AHL) family is a plant transcription factor family, which plays an important role in growth and development and stress responses. We identified and analyzed 37 genes in poplar (). Phylogenetic analysis classified the members into three subfamilies based on their conserved domain. All paralogous pairs evolved under purifying selection. The promoter analysis revealed the presence of stress-related and phytohormone-related -elements of the genes. Our analysis of the tissue-specific expression pattern of genes indicated their significance in tissue and organ development. Network-based prediction suggested that genes may interact with histone deacetylases (HDAC) and participate in the development of organs, such as roots. Drought negatively impacts plant growth and development. ABA is produced under osmotic stress condition, and it takes an important part in the stress response and tolerance of plants. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that genes were induced by drought stress and ABA treatment. These insights into the expression of genes under stress provide a basis for gene functional analysis. Our study will help develop new breeding strategies to improve drought tolerance in poplar.