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The KNOTTED1-LIKE HOMEOBOX (KNOX) transcription factors (TF) play an important role in growth and developmental stages in potato. However, only few reports are available regarding the KNOX gene family in potato. In this study, 17 KNOX genes were detected in the potato genome. The gene structure, protein characteristics, promoter analysis, synthetic regions, gene duplication, gene expression in developmental stages, and chromosomal location were investigated. Based on their phylogenetic relationships, the StKNOX family members were categorized into three classes. Analysis of gene expression showed that the tissue expression patterns of StKNOX genes in the same group were similar but varied among groups. Analysis of transcription factor binding site (TFBS) and microRNA in the promoter region and coding sequence of StKNOX genes revealed the presence of putative TFBS and 49 StmiRNAs. Moreover, variable frequencies of TFSB and miRNA in StKNOX genes could indicate that these genes control different developmental stages and are involved in complex regulatory mechanisms. Our results showed that some members of Class II (StKNOX14) have the highest number of TFBS and are highly expressed in 19 potato tissues. Our findings showed that these genes could be involved in the regulation of plant growth and tuber development in S.tuberosum. The results of this study will be useful in further investigations on the functional role of potato StKNOX genes. • KNOX proteins are homeodomain transcription factors that have a critical role in morphogenesis. • Some members of KNAT2/6 (KNOX6/7/8) have the highest number of TFBS and are highly expressed in plant roots. • KNOX genes could be involved in regulation of plant growth and tuber development in S.tuberosum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GATA proteins are a group of transcriptional regulators that can detect and bind to GATA motifs by zinc finger domain. The plant GATA family is one of the most significant TFs involved in light-responsive development, nitrogen metabolism, and phyto-hormone signaling. In this study, 20 potatoes and 22 tomato GATA genes were selected. The chromosomal locations, gene structures, phylogenetic tree, and the expression during developmental stages of 42 GATA transcription factors (TFs) in Solanaceae species were analyzed to further investigate the functions of these factors. Also, Gene duplication and synteny between the tomato and potato genomes were also analyzed to provide insights into their evolutionary characteristics. Furthermore, genome evolution of potato and tomato using orthologous and paralogous identification was studied. The results of chromosomal localization revealed that 20 SlGATA genes of tomato were located on 12 chromosomes, except on chromosomes 9 and 11. In potato, all 22 StGATA genes were located on 12 chromosomes. Our results indicated that gene duplication may play an important role in genome expansion of potato and tomato. So far, a complete analysis combining evolutionary analysis and expression of the GATA TFs in the Solanaceae species of tomato and potato has not been reported. A comparative phylogenetic analysis of the GATA factor zinc finger domain sequences in potato and tomato revealed four subfamilies. The conserved motifs and gene structure in most genes in each group was similar, according to the grouping of GATA TFs in phylogenetic tree. The analysis of cis -elements showed that SlGATA26a/26b and StGATA26a/26b can be suggested as candidate genes in response to abiotic and biotic stresses. SlGATA26a/26b and StGATA26a/26b genes were expressed in root, shoot, and inflorescence. Altogether, our resultsshowed diverse roles for StGATA and SlGATA genes under abiotic and biotic stresses. Utilization of cis -elements prediction can faciliate potato and tomato improvement. • GATA proteins are a group of transcriptional regulators that can detect and bind to GATA motifs by zinc finger domain. • We surveyed the phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosomal locations, gene duplications, and genes expression of 42 GATA TFs in three tissue types of tomato and potato. • Our results provide insights into the functional differences, evolutionary relationships and expression profiles of GATA transcription factors in Solanaceae species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]