biostudies-literatureXue BPhd Starting Foundation of Shenyang Agricultural UniversityPhD Starting Foundation of Shenyang Agricultural University2883https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11511124biostudies-literatureUnknown13(20)Rapid Alkalization Factor (RALF) is a signaling molecule in plants that plays a crucial role in growth and development, reproductive processes, and responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Although RALF peptides have been characterized in <i>Arabidopsis</i> and rice, a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the <i>ZmRALF</i> gene family in maize is still lacking. In this study, we identified 20 <i>RALF</i> genes in the maize genome. Sequence alignment revealed significant structural variation among the <i>ZmRALF</i> family genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that RALF proteins from <i>Arabidopsis</i>, rice, and maize can be classified into four distinct clades. Duplication events suggest that the expansion of the <i>RALF</i> gene family in maize primarily relies on whole-genome Plants (Basel, Switzerland)Genome-Wide Identification of the <i>RALF</i> Gene Family and Expression Pattern Analysis in <i>Zea mays</i> (L.) under Abiotic Stresses.PMC11511124X2021022Liu YXue BLi DLiang ZLiu CfalseGenome-Wide Identification of the <i>RALF</i> Gene Family and Expression Pattern Analysis in <i>Zea mays</i> (L.) under Abiotic Stresses.Rapid Alkalization Factor (RALF) is a signaling molecule in plants that plays a crucial role in growth and development, reproductive processes, and responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Although RALF peptides have been characterized in <i>Arabidopsis</i> and rice, a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the <i>ZmRALF</i> gene family in maize is still lacking. In this study, we identified 20 <i>RALF</i> genes in the maize genome. Sequence alignment revealed significant structural variation among the <i>ZmRALF</i> family genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that RALF proteins from <i>Arabidopsis</i>, rice, and maize can be classified into four distinct clades. Duplication events suggest that the expansion of the <i>RALF</i> gene family in maize primarily relies on whole-genome 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Oct2026-04-14T03:19:37.702Z2025-04-04T00:29:41.083ZS-EPMC115111243945883010.3390/plants13202883