Identification, Phylogeny, Divergence, Structure, and Expression Analysis of A20/AN1 Zinc Finger Domain Containing <i>Stress-Associated Proteins</i> (<i>SAPs</i>) Genes in <i>Jatropha</i>&amp;amp;nbsp;<i>curcas</i> L.

Jatropha is a small woody perennial biofuel-producing shrub. <i>Stress-associated proteins</i> (<i>SAP</i>s) are novel stress regulatory zinc-finger proteins and are mainly associated with tolerance against various environmental abiotic stresses in Jatropha. In the present study, the <i>JcSAP</i> gene family were analyzed comprehensively in <i>Jatropha curcas</i> and 11 <i>JcSAP</i> genes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis classified the <i>JcSAP</i> genes into four groups based on sequence similarity, similar gene structure features, conserved A20 and/or AN1 domains, and their responsive motifs. Moreover, the divergence analysis further evaluated the evolutionary aspects of the <i>JcSAP</i> genes with the predicted time of divergence from 9.1 to 40 MYA. Furthermore, a diverse range of cis-elements including light-responsive elements, hormone-responsive elements, and stress-responsive elements were detected in the promoter region of <i>JcSAP</i> genes while the <i>miRNA</i> target sites predicted the regulation of <i>JcSAP</i> genes via a candid <i>miRNA</i> mediated post-transcriptional regulatory network. In addition, the expression profiles of <i>JcSAP</i> genes in different tissues under stress treatment indicated that many <i>JcSAP</i> genes play functional developmental roles in different tissues, and exhibit significant differential expression under stress treatment. These results collectively laid a foundation for the functional diversification of <i>JcSAP</i> genes.