UTR Analysis of bZIP Transcription Factor Family in Barley

bZIP family is one of the most diverse transcription factors in plants playing critical roles in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Regulation of gene expression at translation level is determined based on the mRNA features which untranslated regions (UTRs) are among the most important ones. In the present study, we attempted to survey the features of UTRs and their probable effect on transcription and translation of bZIP family in barley (78 members) through in silico approaches. Based on the results, mean length of 5´-UTRs were more than 3´-UTR but 5´-UTRs had more GC content. Context of initial codons had 49.23% guanine at and 56.70% purine at -3 positions. Totally, 18 abiotic stress responsive Cis-acting elements were found which GA-regulated myb element was prevalent. Ribosome should consume more than 50 Kcal/mol energy to reach the start codon of 50 members. However, 23 members had Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES). sRNA targets were only detected in 5´-UTR (HvbZIP4) and in 3´-UTR(HvbZIP44). 225 Upstream Open Reading Frame (uORFs) were extracted where the minimum length was 12 nt. uORF of HvbZIP24 (at frame ) was similar to an upstream protein of Theobroma cacao (XM_007017561.1). In general, mRNAs of the bZIP family in barley had different regulatory structures, which might be a natural solution for accurate regulation of these regulatory proteins.