Genome-Wide Identification and Molecular Characterization of the Growth-Regulating Factors-Interacting Factor Gene Family in Tomato

Growth-regulating factors-interacting factor (GIF) proteins play crucial roles in the regulation of plant growth and development. However, the molecular mechanism of GIF proteins in tomato is poorly understood. Here, four SlGIF genes (named SlGRF1a, SlGIF1b, SlGIF2, and SlGIF3) were identified from the tomato genome and clustered into two major clades by phylogenetic analysis. The gene structure and motif pattern analyses showed similar exon/intron patterns and motif organizations in all the SlGIFs. We identified 33 cis-acting regulatory elements (CAREs) in the promoter regions of the SlGIFs. The expression profiling revealed the four GIFs are expressed in various tissues and stages of fruit development and induced by phytohormones (IAA and GA). The subcellular localization assays showed all four GIFs were located in nucleus. The yeast two-hybrid assay indicated various growth-regulating factors (SlGRFs) proteins interacted with the four SlGIF proteins. However, SlGRF4 was a common interactor with the SlGIF proteins. Moreover, a higher co-expression relationship was shown between three SlGIF genes and five SlGRF genes. The protein association network analysis found a chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein (CHD) and an actin-like protein to be associated with the four SlGIF proteins. Overall, these results will improve our understanding of the potential functions of GIF genes and act as a base for further functional studies on GIFs in tomato growth and development.