Genome-wide identification of CBF genes and their responses to cold acclimation in Taraxacum kok-saghyz

C-repeat binding factors (CBFs) are transcription factors that are known to play important roles in plant cold acclimation. They are highly conserved in most higher plants. Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS) is an herb native to China and Kazakhstan and is well-known for its production of rubber silk with industrial and economic value. To understand cold acclimation mechanisms, we conducted a genome-wide discovery of the CBF family genes in TKS and revealed ten CBF genes. A bioinformatic analysis of the CBF genes was carried out to analyze the phylogenetic relationship, protein conservative motifs, protein physicochemical properties, gene structure, promoter cis-acting elements, and the gene expression patterns under cold acclimation and control conditions. It was found that most of these genes were highly responsive at the late stage of cold acclimation, indicating that they play important roles in the cold acclimation processes of TKS. This study provides a theoretical basis for the study of the molecular functions of the CBF gene family in TKS, and a useful guidance for the genetic improvement of the cold tolerance traits of TKS and other plants, including crops.