TWGFD: an integrative platform for tetraploid wheat gene family analysis

Gene families, primarily are composed of transcription factors, comprise evolutionarily conserved orthologs derived from common ancestors, characterized by shared sequence homology, structural domains, and fundamental roles in biological processes including development, growth, and environmental adaptation. As the immediate progenitor of hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), tetraploid wheat constitutes both a vital industrial crop and a critical genetic reservoir, harboring numerous agronomically important stress-resistance traits. Systematic characterization of its gene families is imperative for elucidating functional and evolutionary mechanisms, yet dedicated analytical resources remain unavailable. To address this gap, we developed the inaugural Tetraploid Wheat Gene Family Database (TWGFD; http://triticumgfdb.com), integrating 92 gene families encompassing 11,781 wild emmer (T. dicoccoides) and 13,357 durum wheat (T. durum) genes. This multi-omics platform delivers eight analytical modules: gene annotations, structural architectures, cis-regulatory elements, conserved protein motifs, phylogenetic relationships, expression profiles, ortholog identification, and nucleotide variation analysis. TWGFD's interactive interface enables gene retrieval, BLAST alignment, and bulk data downloads. This resource accelerates research on wheat domestication, adaptive evolution, and agronomic trait discovery.