Annotation survey and life cycle transcriptomics of transcription factors in rust fungi (Pucciniales) identify a possible role for cold shock proteins in dormancy exit

•Pucciniales present a reduced repertoire of TFs compared to other fungi.•TF families display different evolutionary trajectories in Pucciniales vs fungi.•The poplar rust transcriptome pinpoints TF at major life cycle stages.•Cold shock protein genes are specifically expanded in Pucciniales.•Cold Shock Proteins have a probable role in dormancy exit of the poplar rust fungus.