Alfin-like (AL) proteins are an important class of transcription factor (TF) widely distributed in eukaryotes and play vital roles in many aspects of plant growth and development. AL proteins contain an Alfin-like domain and a specific PHD-finger structure domain at the N-terminus and C-terminus, respectively. The PHD domain can bind to a specific (C/A) CAC element in the promoter region and affect plant growth and development by regulating the expression of functional genes. This review describes a variety of AL transcription factors that have been isolated and characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana, Brassica rapa, Zea mays, Brassica oleracea, Solanum lycopersicum, Populus trichocarpa, Pyrus bretschenedri, Malus domestica, and other species. These studies have focused mainly on plant growth and development, different abiotic stress responses, different hormonal stress responses, and stress responses after exposure to pathogenic bacteria. However, studies on the molecular functional mechanisms of Alfin-like transcription factors and the interactions between different signaling pathways are rare. In this review, we performed phylogenetic analysis, cluster analysis, and motif analysis based on A. thaliana sequences. We summarize the structural characteristics of AL transcription factors in different plant species and the diverse functions of AL transcription factors in plant development and stress regulation responses. The aim of this study was to provide a reference for further application of the functions and mechanisms of action of the AL protein family in plants.
Keywords: Alfin-like transcription factors; abiotic stress; growth and development; structural characteristics.