Abstract：SUPERMAN family genes are important transcription factors in the plant growth and development. In order to understand physiological functions of SUPERMAN family genes in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.), the MdLIFa (GenBank accession No. HM370493) and its promoter were cloned using RT-PCR and anchored PCR from apple cultivar Fuji(M. domestica. cv. Fuji). The 11 genes of SUPERMAN family in apple were cloned by PCR amplification using gene-specific primers. All 12 genes were designated as MdLIFa/MdLIFb(GenBank accession No. HQ260429), MdSUP1a(HQ418477)/MdSUP1b(HQ418478), MdSUP4(HQ418475)/MdSUP12(HQ418476), MdSUP5a(HQ418469)/MdSUP13b(HQ418470), MdSUP9a(HQ418473)/MdSUP9b(HQ418474), and MdSUP5b (HQ418471)/MdSUP13a(HQ418472), located on chromosomes 11/3, 1/1, 4/12, 5/13, 9/unknown, and 5/13, respectively. The similarity of deduce amino acid sequences of each pair of genes was higher than 86%. The subcellular localization of MdLIFa was transient expressed in the cell nucleus by the particle bombardment into onion(Allium cepa) epidermal cells. Cis-acting elements, such as POLLEN1LELAT52 (AGAAA), GTGANTG10 (GTGA), ROOTMOTIFTAPOX1 (ATATT), DOFCOREZM (AAAG), and GT1CONSENSUS (GRWAAW), were found in the upstream of MdLIFa. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MdLIFa/b were clustered in one group, together with MdSUP9a/9b and MdSUP5a/13b while MdSUP1a/b, MdSUP5b/MdSUP13, and MdSUP4/12 in another group. These genes were putatively involved in plant morphogenesis and floral organogenesis. The SUPERMAN family genes in apple are highly homologous in pair with diverse biological functions, which provide useful information for further gene characterization and genetic transformation
