B-box Proteins in Arachis duranensis: Genome-Wide Characterization and Expression Profiles Analysis

B-box (BBX) proteins are important factors involved in plant growth and developmental regulation, and they have been identified in many species. However, information on the characteristics and transcription patterns of BBX genes in wild peanut are limited. In this study, we identified and characterized 24 BBX genes from a wild peanut, Arachis duranensis. Many characteristics were analyzed, including chromosomal locations, phylogenetic relationships, and gene structures. Arachis duranensis B-box (AdBBX) proteins were grouped into five classes based on the diversity of their conserved domains: I (3 genes), II (4 genes), III (4 genes), IV (9 genes), and V (4 genes). Fifteen distinct motifs were found in the 24 AdBBX proteins. Duplication analysis revealed the presence of two interchromosomal duplicated gene pairs, from group II and IV. In addition, 95 kinds of cis-acting elements were found in the genes' promoter regions, 53 of which received putative functional predictions. The numbers and types of cis-acting elements varied among different AdBBX promoters, and, as a result, AdBBX genes exhibited distinct expression patterns in different tissues. Transcriptional profiling combined with synteny analysis suggests that AdBBX8 may be a key factor involved in flowering time regulation. Our study will provide essential information for further functional investigation of AdBBX genes.