Isolation and identification of a cold-inducible gene encoding a putative DRE-binding transcription factor from Festuca arundinacea

A new DRE-binding protein gene FaDREB1 encoded for an AP2/ERFBP-type transcription factor was isolated by RACE-PCR from Festuca arundinacea Schreb seedlings. Its cDNA was sequenced with 988 bp, from which a protein with 216 amino acid residues was deduced with a predicted molecular mass of 23.479 kDa and a p I of 4.70. A search of the Protein Blast data revealed that this protein can be classified as a typical member of the AP2/EREBP family of DNA-binding proteins. The tissue organ-specific expression pattern of the FaDREB1 gene showed that its transcripts were abundant in leaves and leaf sheaths, and scarce in roots. Southern blot analysis indicated that it is a multiple-copy gene. Its mRNA accumulation profiles made clear that its expression was strongly induced by cold treatment, weakly induced by drought and salt stress, but did not respond to ABA treatment. It was concluded that the protein FaDREB1 may be involved in the process of plant response to cold stress through an ABA-independent pathway.