Isolation and functional characterization of the DREB family of genes in rice

摘要

The DREB gene family of transcription factors in Arabidopsis thallana has been shown to play a key role in orchestrating the plant's response to factors such as cold, drought, and salinity. Cloning of similar genes in rice may be a prerequisite for developing superior transgenic cultivars that can withstand or thrive in adverse environments. Here we report the characteristics of the corresponding DREB homologues in rice, Os (Oryza sativa) DREB1A, IB, 1G1, and OsDREB2. OsDREBIA, like DREB1A, is up-regulated in plants exposed to cold. Unlike DREB1A, OsDREBIA is sensitive to salt and wound stress. Similar to DREB2A, OsDREB2 is induced by drought and salinity but not by cold exposure. Both OsDREBs specifically bind the ORE/CRT motif in the rd29 promoter. Based on GUS/LUC data produced in a rice protoplast assay, OsDREBIA is better than OsDREB2 in transactivating genes containing the DRE motif in their promoter regions. The OsDREB genes in this report may play an important role in the production of superior transgenic rice plants that are resistant to multiple-stress environments.