Overexpression of maize ZmDBP3 enhances tolerance to drought and cold stress in transgenic Arabidopsis plants

C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element binding factors (CBF/DREBs), belonging to the AP2/ERF superfamily, play a vital regulatory role in abiotic stress responses in plants. The ZmDBP3 gene, a member of the A-1 subgroup of the CBF/DREB subfamily, was isolated from maize seedlings. The predicted ZmDBP3 protein contained a putative nuclear localization signal and an activation region. As a trans-acting factor, the ZmDBP3 protein accumulated in the nucleus in a subcellular localization assay, and activated CRT/DRE-containing genes under normal growth conditions in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. ZmDBP3 transcription was highly activated by cold and moderately by salt. Overexpression of ZmDBP3 improved drought and cold stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. These results suggested that ZmDBP3 produces a CRT/DRE-binding transcription factor and may have an important role in improving drought and cold tolerance in plants.