| Summary: | NAC proteins are one of the largest families of plant-specific transcription factors (TFs). They regulate diverse complex biological processes, including secondary xylem differentiation and wood formation. Recent genomic and transcriptomic studies of <i>Tectona grandis</i> L.f. (teak), one of the most valuable hardwood trees in the world, have allowed identification and analysis of developmental genes. In the present work, <i>T. grandis</i> NAC genes were identified and analyzed regarding to their evolution and expression profile during wood formation. We analyzed the recently published <i>T. grandis</i> genome, and identified 130 NAC proteins that are coded by 107 gene loci. These proteins were classified into 23 clades of the NAC family, together with <i>Populus</i>, <i>Eucalyptus,</i> and <i>Arabidopsis.</i> Data on transcript expression revealed specific temporal and spatial expression patterns for the majority of teak NAC genes. RT-PCR indicated expression of VND genes (<i>Tg11g04450-VND2</i> and <i>Tg15g08390-VND4</i>) related to secondary cell wall formation in xylem vessels of 16-year-old juvenile trees. Our findings open a way to further understanding of NAC transcription factor genes in <i>T. grandis</i> wood biosynthesis, while they are potentially useful for future studies aiming to improve biomass and wood quality using biotechnological approaches.
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