# Identification and Analysis of DUF506 Gene Family in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)

## TL;DR

This study identifies and analyzes the DUF506 gene family in peanuts, revealing their potential roles in plant development and stress responses.

## Contribution

The study is the first to identify and characterize the DUF506 gene family in cultivated peanuts.

## Key findings

- 23 AhDUF506 genes were identified and grouped into 4 subfamilies across 15 peanut chromosomes.
- Seven AhDUF506 genes showed significantly higher expression in flowers compared to other tissues.
- All AhDUF506 genes were up-regulated in roots under abiotic stress conditions.

## Abstract

The Domain of Unknown Function 506 (DUF506) family, part of the PD-(D/E)XK nuclease superfamily, has been shown to play a vital role in plant development and responses to abiotic stresses. However, the function of the DUF506 family in cultivated peanuts remains unknown. This study identified 23 AhDUF506 genes using bioinformatics approaches; these genes are spread across 15 chromosomes and grouped into 4 subfamilies. Additionally, by analyzing gene structure, upstream cis-acting elements, and transcriptional expression changes of AhDUF506 genes in different tissues and under various stress conditions, their expression levels and response mechanisms to abiotic stresses were examined. In mature tissues, the expression levels of seven AhDUF506 genes in flowers were significantly higher than those in other tissues. Under abiotic stress, their expression levels were all up-regulated in the roots of peanut plant seedlings. These findings provide an important foundation for a deeper understanding of the molecular characteristics of the DUF506 family in Arachis hypogaea (peanut), supporting future research on the functional characterization of its genes.