Genome-Wide Analysis of DREB Genes in Sugar Beet and Their Potential Functions in Response to Drought Stress

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L) is an important sugar and cash crop, but its production is often severely affected by drought. Dehydration-responsive element-binding protein (DREB) family transcription factors are known to play important roles in drought tolerance. However, the sugar beet BvDREB gene family has never been reported. In this study, we identified the sugar beet BvDREB gene family at the genome-wide level and analyzed its structure and expression patterns to reveal the biological functions of these genes in response to drought stress. Thirty BvDREB genes were identified and divided into six subfamilies. A comprehensive analysis of the evolutionary tree, cis-acting elements, drought stress transcriptome data, real-time quantitative PCR results and potential interacting proteins of BvDREB revealed that all the BvDREB genes are responsive to drought stress and have different expression patterns under short- and long-term drought stress conditions. They play an important role in drought tolerance through regulating the ABA signal pathway, proline biosynthesis and hormone levels. This study provides important data for further functional characterization of the BvDREB genes and also lays the foundation for molecular screening and breeding of drought tolerance in sugar beet and other crop varieties.