biostudies-literatureZhao YShandong Province Natural Science FoundationShandong Forage Research SystemFirst Class Grassland Science Discipline Program of Shandong ProvinceShandong Province Key Research and Development PlanNational Nature Science Foundation of China455https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11764565biostudies-literatureUnknown26(2)Multiprotein bridging factor 1 (MBF1) is a transcription factor family playing crucial roles in plant development and stress responses. In this study, we analyzed MBF1 genes in <i>Medicago truncatula</i> and <i>Medicago sativa</i> under abiotic stresses, revealing evolutionary patterns and functional differences. Four <i>MBF1</i> genes were identified in <i>M. truncatula</i> and two in <i>M. sativa</i>, with conserved MBF1 and HTH domains, similar exon/intron structures, and stress-related <i>cis</i>-elements in their promoters. Subcellular localization showed that MtMBF1a.1 is predominantly localized in the nucleus, while MtMBF1a.2, MtMBF1b, MtMBF1c, and MsMBF1a localize to both the nucleus and cytoplasm. In contrast, MsMBF1c is exclusively localized in the cytoplasm. An expression analysInternational journal of molecular sciencesGenome-wide Characterization of the &lt;i&gt;MBF1&lt;/i&gt; Gene Family and Its Expression Pattern in Different Tissues and Under Stresses in &lt;i&gt;Medicago truncatula&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Medicago sativa&lt;/i&gt;.PMC11764565SDAIT-23-011619002ZR2024QC0242023LZGCQY02232400320U19062012021SFGC0303Yang GLiu RSu KWang HZhao YfalseGenome-wide Characterization of the &lt;i&gt;MBF1&lt;/i&gt; Gene Family and Its Expression Pattern in Different Tissues and Under Stresses in &lt;i&gt;Medicago truncatula&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Medicago sativa&lt;/i&gt;.Multiprotein bridging factor 1 (MBF1) is a transcription factor family playing crucial roles in plant development and stress responses. In this study, we analyzed MBF1 genes in <i>Medicago truncatula</i> and <i>Medicago sativa</i> under abiotic stresses, revealing evolutionary patterns and functional differences. Four <i>MBF1</i> genes were identified in <i>M. truncatula</i> and two in <i>M. sativa</i>, with conserved MBF1 and HTH domains, similar exon/intron structures, and stress-related <i>cis</i>-elements in their promoters. Subcellular localization showed that MtMBF1a.1 is predominantly localized in the nucleus, while MtMBF1a.2, MtMBF1b, MtMBF1c, and MsMBF1a localize to both the nucleus and cytoplasm. In contrast, MsMBF1c is exclusively localized in the cytoplasm. An expression analys2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jan2026-05-27T08:01:59.24Z2025-04-07T00:37:31.674ZS-EPMC117645653985917110.3390/ijms26020455