Fuente: PubMed "plant biotechnology" Front Plant Sci. 2026 Jun 26;17:1874213. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1874213. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTAuxin Response Factors (ARFs) are key regulators of auxin-based transcriptional networks regulating plant development and stress responses. Nevertheless, their systematic description in cultivated sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is still not very well described since it has a complicated polyploid genome. A genome-wide analysis in this study revealed that 73 ARF genes (SoARFs) were detected in the S. officinarum LA-Purple genome, indicating substantial expansion in gene families in comparison to the diploid species. Differences in protein length, molecular weight, and isoelectric point indicate structural differences and possible functional divergence. Phylogenetic analysis types SoARFs into two major clades (II and IV), with no other clades being present, suggesting the lineage-specific evolutionary patterns, and all conserved relations with monocot ARFs, suggesting evolutionary conservation. Conserved domains (B3, Auxin resp, AUX/IAA) were confirmed by structural analysis, as well as variable exon-intron organization, indicating regulatory diversification. The analysis of chromosomal distributions and synteny showed that the prevalent way of expanding the number of genes in the family was due to segmental and whole-genome duplication, demonstrating polyploidy-based evolution. Promoter analysis revealed that 49 cis-regulatory elements linked to phytohormone signaling and stress responses, which means that SoARFs are integrative regulators of developmental and environmental pathways. Further regulatory network analysis identified multilayered regulation with widespread miRNA targeting especially of miR160 and miR167, and multifaceted protein-protein interactions. The spatial and temporal dynamics of expression profiling in exogenous IAA conditions and different stages of development indicated unique patterns with major genes (SoARF1, SoARF2, SoARF3, SoARF6, SoARF7, SoARF12, and SoARF19) being highly induced and tissue-specific. Furthermore, qRT-PCR confirmed that SoARF43, SoARF44, SoARF48, and SoARF71 were identified as negative regulator of IAA. These results demonstrate the functional specialization in the ARF family and lay a basis on future functional research and genetic enhancement of sugarcane.PMID:42433887 | PMC:PMC13350516 | DOI:10.3389/fpls.2026.1874213