Upon P. capsici inoculation, 258 TF genes (with 137 up-regulated and 121 down-regulated TF genes), which account for ~ 15.5% of all identified TF genes, were differentially expressed in the resistant pepper line CM334; while in the susceptible pepper line EC01, 437 TF genes (with 249 up-regulated and 188 down-regulated TF genes), which account for ~ 26.2% of all identified TF genes, were significantly altered during the infection (Fig. 1c). Here, TF is linked to infection.