Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of DUF568 Gene Family in Maize (Zea mays) Under Abiotic Stresses

The DUF568 gene family contributes to diverse biological processes in Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, but its function in maize (Zea mays) under abiotic stress remains largely unclear. This study aimed to address this gap through the first comprehensive identification and characterization of 10 ZmDUF568 genes in maize, including analyses of their evolutionary relationships, gene structures, expression patterns, upstream transcription factors, and tissue-specific responses. We further analyzed their expression profiles under heat, cold, and drought stresses using public transcriptome datasets, and validated the expression of selected candidate genes under salt and drought stresses via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Additionally, we predicted potential upstream transcription factors using published ChIP-seq data. Our results reveal the basic structural features and stress-responsive expression patterns of the ZmDUF568 family, providing a set of candidate genes and a foundational resource for future functional validation studies of DUF568 genes in maize abiotic stress responses.