Characterisation of the ERF102 to ERF105 genes of Arabidopsis thaliana and their role in the response to cold stress

Stefanie Zintl,Thomas Schmülling,Sylvia Illgen,Dirk K Hincha,Ellen Zuther

doi:10.1007/s11103-020-00993-1

Abstract

Key messageThe four phylogenetically closely related ERF102 to ERF105 transcription factors of Arabidopsis thaliana are regulated by different stresses and are involved in the response to cold stress.The ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) genes of Arabidopsis thaliana form a large family encoding plant-specific transcription factors. Here, we characterise the four phylogenetically closely related ERF102/ERF5, ERF103/ERF6, ERF104 and ERF105 genes. Expression analyses revealed that these four genes are similarly regulated by different hormones and abiotic stresses. Analyses of tissue-specific expression using promoter:GUS reporter lines revealed their predominant expression in root tissues including the root meristem (ERF103), the quiescent center (ERF104) and the root vasculature (all). All GFP-ERF fusion proteins were nuclear-localised. The analysis of insertional mutants, amiRNA lines and 35S:ERF overexpressing transgenic lines indicated that ERF102 to ERF105 have only a limited impact on regulating shoot and root growth. Previous work had shown a role for ERF105 in the cold stress response. Here, measurement of electrolyte leakage to determine leaf freezing tolerance and expression analyses of cold-responsive genes revealed that the combined activity of ERF102 and ERF103 is also required for a full cold acclimation response likely involving the CBF regulon. These results suggest a common function of these ERF genes in the response to cold stress.

Highlights

The ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) genes encode plant-specific transcription factors forming a large gene family with 122 members in Arabidopsis thaliana (Nakano et al 2006)
ERF transcription factors are involved in the regulation of numerous developmental processes (Riechmann and Meyerowitz 1998) and they are important for the response to various biotic and abiotic stresses including cold (Kizis et al 2001; Agarwal et al 2006b; Srivastava and Kumar 2019; Xie et al 2019)
We previously identified the ERF105 gene of Arabidopsis as an important factor for Arabidopsis freezing tolerance and cold acclimation (Bolt et al 2017)

Summary

Introduction

The ERF genes encode plant-specific transcription factors forming a large gene family with 122 members in Arabidopsis thaliana (Nakano et al 2006). ERF transcription factors are involved in the regulation of numerous developmental processes (Riechmann and Meyerowitz 1998) and they are important for the response to various biotic and abiotic stresses including cold (Kizis et al 2001; Agarwal et al 2006b; Srivastava and Kumar 2019; Xie et al 2019)

Methods

Results

Conclusion