ABSTRACT
Heat stress transcription factors (Hsf) family is one of the most important transcription factor families in plants, and plays an important role in the growth and development of plants when encountering abiotic stresses such as heat, drought, and heavy metals. In this study, 20 SpbHsf genes were identified from the full-length transcriptome database of Setcreasea purpurea, and the structure and function of the Hsf gene family were analyzed using bioinformatics tools and qRT-PCR. The results showed that all SpbHsf proteins were hydrophilic. There were 12 SpbHsf proteins located in the nucleus, and the content of α-helix and random coil in the secondary structure of all SpbHsf proteins was high. The SpbHsf genes are divided into three subfamilies, each of which contains unique conserved motifs. All SpbHsf proteins contain DBD and HR-A/B domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that OsHsf in Oryza sativa protein had the highest homology with SpbHsf protein. All the 20 SpbHsf genes were expressed in the root tissues of S. purpurea. Among them, 8 were significantly up-regulated while 8 were significantly down-regulated under Cu2+ stress. This study may help better understand the function and expression pattern of the S. purpurea Hsf gene family.