Regulatory role of DREB transcription factors in plant drought, salt and cold tolerance

rd29A gene of Arabidopsis encodes a LEA-like hydrophilic protein, its expression is induced by drought, high-salt and cold stress. In the promoter region of rd29A gene, there are 2 DRE cis-acting elements involved in responses to these environmental stresses. 5 cDNAs (DREB1A similar to C and DREB2A similar to B) encoding DREB transcription factors, which specifically bind to DRE element and control the expression of reporter gene under drought, high-salt and stress, have been isolated by One-Hybrid screening method and with DRE element of rd29A promoter. DREB transcription factors and DRE element function in signal transduction of drought, high-salt and cold stress. One DREB transcription factor can control the expression of several target functional genes involved in plant tolerance to drought, high-salt and cold stress. Thus, it may be an effective strategy to achieve ideal, multiple and fundamental effect for improving plant stress-resistance by DREB gene transfer.