Functional role of DREB and ERF transcription factors: regulating stress-responsive network in plants

Plant responses to multiple stresses play significant role in identifying the novel candidate genes regulating the complex molecular mechanisms under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. The vital role of transcription factors for controlling stress regulatory network has been elucidated in several plants ranging from both monocots to dicots. The AP2/ERF family transcription factors (DREB and ERF) are one of the important key regulators that have been named based on their conserved DNA-binding domain. They regulate the diverse functions including stress regulation through the modulation of several signaling pathways. The basic knowledge on the role of AP2/ ERF family transcription factors has facilitated to understand various mechanisms that increase the plant adaptability in response to multiple stresses. Therefore, manipulating these TFs is an important tool for improving plant tolerance against adverse environmental conditions. In the present review, recent progress related to DREB and ERF transcription factors belonging to AP2/ERF family in mediating both abiotic and biotic stress signaling and tolerance has been highlighted.