Cloning and characterization of an ABA-independent DREB transcription factor gene, HcDREB2, in Hemarthria compressa. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Yongxia; Huang, Linkai; Yan, Haidong; Zhang, Xinquan; Xu, Bin; Ma, Xiao
• Is Part Of: Hereditas. Volume 153:Number 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Cold stress -- DREB transcription factor -- Drought and salt stress -- Hemarthria compressa -- Yeast one-hybrid system; Heredity -- Periodicals; Genetics -- Periodicals; Cytogénétique; Génétique; Hérédité; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 576.5
• DOI: 10.1186/s41065-016-0008-y
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0018-0661

Abstract

Abstract Background Hemarthria compressa is a stoloniferous perennial tropical forage grass with a wide geographic distribution; however, environmental stress has a great influence on its growth. The DREB transcription factor family genes contains candidate genes for improving plant stress tolerance. Results From cold-treatedH. compressa plants, a putativeDREB2 gene (HcDREB2 ) was cloned using the RACE-PCR method.HcDREB2 was 1296 bp in length and encoded a putative protein 264 amino acid residues long.HcDREB2 shared the highest sequence identity withDREB2 in sorghum. The expression of HcDREB2 was independent of ABA treatment, but inducible by low temperatures as well as drought and high salinity treatments. Yeast one-hybrid assays showed that HcDREB2 directly bound the DRE cis-acting element to transactivate the expression of the downstream reporter genes. Conclusions HcDREB2, a stress-inducible but ABA-independent transcription factor gene, can transactivate downstream genes by binding to the DRE cis-element. The current results are a foundation for making use of this stress tolerance gene in futureH. compressa studies.