DREB1A Gene Research Articles

Overexpression of the DREB1A gene under stress-inducible promoter delays leaf senescence and improves drought tolerance in rice

Overexpression of the DREB1A gene under stress-inducible promoter delays leaf senescence and improves drought tolerance in rice

Physiological Response of Selected Rice Accessions to Salinity and In Silico Analysis of DREB1A Gene Among Diploid Oryza Species

The responses of selected rice accessions to variant salt concentrations and in-silico analysis of DREB1A gene among diploid Oryza species were evaluated. Ten (10) rice accessions were selected based on their popularity in farmer's fields. Seedlings of each variety (one per pot) were watered with variant salt concentrations of 0mM, 100mM and 200mM for 21 days. The morpho-physiological characters (plant height, number of tillers, root length and dry weight) were evaluated using a standard evaluation system for rice. The reference sequences of OsDREB1A and AtDREB1A were used as queries to search against the 10 diploid Oryza species in the BLASTN of the PlantEnsembl database to reveal DREB1A orthologs. The retrieved DREB1A orthologs were used to compute the physicochemical properties of their proteins, gene motifs, intron-exon architecture and phylogenetic relationship. The studied accessions showed significant differences (p<0.05) in morpho-physiological responses to salinity. The accessions Zaqama, Yar-Garnaki, Yar-Yuti, Samira and Chana-Beru performed better under salt stress and there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the control and salt-treated groups. Additionally, the in-silico analysis of DREB1A gene identified 10 orthologs with conserved single transcript, AP2 domain and unstable protein (characteristics of TFs) across the 10 diploid Oryza species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 3 clusters of African rice and its progenitor, Asian rice and their relatives and O. brachyantha/O. punctata complex, similar to the evolution of rice species. Conclusively, salt stress affects rice in a concentration-dependent manner and DREB1A gene is a conserved plant transcription factor (TF) across diploid Oryza species.

The cold-stress responsive gene DREB1A involved in low-temperature tolerance in Xinjiang wild walnut.

BackgroundLow-temperatures have the potential to be a serious problem for plants and can negatively affect the normal growth and development of walnuts. DREB1/CBF (Dehydration Responsive Element Binding Protein 1/C-repeat Binding Factor), one of the most direct transcription factors in response to low-temperature stress, may improve the resistance of plants to low-temperatures by regulating their functional genes. However, few studies have been conducted in walnut. The Xinjiang wild walnut is a rare wild plant found in China, with a large number of excellent trait genes, and is hardier than cultivated walnuts in Xinjiang.MethodsIn this work, we identified all of the DREB1 members from the walnut genome and analyzed their expression levels in different tissues and during low-temperature stress on the Xinjiang wild walnut. The JfDREB1A gene of the Xinjiang wild walnut was cloned and transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana for functional verification.ResultsThere were five DREB1 transcription factors in the walnut genome. Among them, the relative expression level of the DREB1A gene was significantly higher than other members in the different tissues (root, stem, leaf) and was immediately un-regulated under low-temperature stress. The overexpression of the JfDREB1A gene increased the survival rates of transgenic Arabidopsis lines, mainly through maintaining the stability of cell membrane, decreasing the electrical conductivity and increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Additionally, the expression levels of cold-inducible genes like AtKIN1, AtERD10, AtRD29A, AtCOR15A and AtCOR47, were significantly increased. These results showed that the JfDREB1A gene may play an important role in the response to cold stress of the Xinjiang wild walnut. This study contributes to our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the Xinjiang wild walnut’s response to low-temperature stress and will be beneficial for developing walnut cultivars with improved cold resistance.

Precise Expression of DREB1A Gene Is Required for Proper Seed Germination, Vegetative and Reproductive Development, and Seed Grain Yield in Arabidopsis thaliana

Precise Expression of DREB1A Gene Is Required for Proper Seed Germination, Vegetative and Reproductive Development, and Seed Grain Yield in Arabidopsis thaliana

Estimation of DREB Gene Expression in Wheat Genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) Introduced to Anbar Governorate Under Water Stress

Wheat crop is known as one of the domesticated crops and the second-largest crop in the world where cultivated in arid and semi-arid environments. A Field experiment was conducted in Hit city/Qnan region, Anbar governorate that located west of Iraq, during the winter season of 2019/2020 in order to estimate gene expression of 24 wheat genotypes under drought conditions. The experiment included two treatments, the first is wheat genotypes and drought treatment (droughted and Irrigated). A split-plot arrangement in Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D) with three replications was used in this experiment where drought treatments occupied the main plots while genotypes were put in the subplots. The results showed that the genotypes responded differently to the treatments according to the measured traits most prominent genotype was 43 which recorded a high expression of DREB 1A gene (221.88-fold) followed by genotypes 39, 24, 6, 28, 25, and 20 at drought treatment. Genotype 6 showed superiority in plant height of 94.78 and 93.39 where the mean did not affect by the interaction of both treatments on the trait, also recorded the highest average for NGS trait around 57.48 grain. spike−1, followed by genotypes 43 gave 56.57 grain. spike−1which also was superior in flag leaf area with high average 35.62 cm2. For the dry weight trait, genotype 29 superior and recorded 666.66 g. m−2. While the genotypes (18, and Al-diyar) were superiors in TGW trait with a higher average attained 56.65, and 55.77 g, respectively. The genotypes did not differ significantly in GY although the genotype 3 and 29 recorded higher mean for GY with 7.39 and 7.29ton ha−1.

Role of DREB1A gene in Triticum aestivum L. seeds treated with different elicitors to delay drought stress

Abiotic and biotic factors affect the survival, biomass production and crop yield. The main cereal crops as wheat, rice and maize get affected severely by drought stress. DREB/CBF binds to cis-acting elements responsive for drought stress. In the present work, the role of 18s rRNA and DREB1A gene in wheat plants treated with different elicitors at the time of sowing in response to drought stress has been studied. Specifically the expression of DREB1A and 18s rRNA genes in seeds of two wheat cultivars RAJ-4120 and RAJ-3765 pre-treated with different elicitors on 5th, 10th and 15th day of plant growth was investigated. The seeds of Triticum aestivum L. were treated with different elicitors viz., sodium nitro prusside (10 mM), salicylic acid (0.5 mM) and silver nitrate (10 mM) for 6 h before sowing. DREB1A gene expression in RAJ-4120 cultivar was significantly higher than RAJ-3765 cultivar. The results showed that DREB1A gene provided resistance against drought stress when treated with different elicitors in comparison to the seeds having no pre-sowing treatment. Among three elicitors, the highest DREB1A gene expression was noticed in SNP pre-treated seedlings during 15th day of stress. Hence, from the present study, it was concluded that DREB1A gene had role in delaying drought stress in T. aestivum L. and among three elicitors treated, SNP was found to be the best in which expression of DREB1A gene was found to be maximum.

AtMybL-O modulates abscisic acid biosynthesis to optimize plant growth and ABA signaling in response to drought stress

To combat constant stress from the external environment throughout their life cycle, plants have evolved their own defense mechanisms. Through robust and complicated defense mechanisms, plants have increased their productivity and adaptability under harsh conditions. In this study, we demonstrated the function of the AtMybL-O gene by using knockout (ko) mutants to expand the existing research field. The atmybl-o ko mutant seedlings grew similarly to the wild type (WT) in response to osmotic stress, while the AtMybL-O overexpression lines exhibit growth suppression in the same growth condition. Further, we attempted to understand the functional mechanism of AtMybL-O with respect to stress response toward drought stress. Firstly, we determined the changes in gene expression of the mutants in response to mannitol treatment and identified a strong increase in the expression of COR15b, DREB1A, and NCED3 gene in the mutant. Finally, through abscisic acid (ABA) measurement experiments, we observed that the ABA content of mannitol-treated mutants was higher than that of the WT. Therefore, our results indicate that AtMybL-O modulates ABA biosynthesis and ABA signaling in response to drought stress.

Salt stress tolerance of transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) expressing AtDREB1A gene under inducible or constitutive promoters

Salt stress is the important abiotic stresses depressing gainful crop production. This study assessed rice morphologically with DREB1A gene under inducible and constitutive promoters against salinity. Non transgenic and transgenic rice plants with two transgenic events (35S-DREB1A and LIP-9 DREB1A) were assessed under salt stress and controlled conditions. The germinated healthy and uniform seedlings of rice plants with two events were transplanted in pots (25 × 35 cm) filled with soil and irrigated with tap water. Nitrogen and Phosphorus fertilizers were applied at the ratio of 100 kg/ha and 50 kg/ha respectively in the form of DAP and murate of potash. Sodium chloride (NaCl) in different increments was added in medium till stress level of 12 ± 2 dS m−1NaCl was obtained and maintained till maturity. The control medium without added salts, with an ECw of 0.50–0.90 dSm−1 was also maintained. After maturity, harvesting was done and yield components data were recorded. Results showed significant decrease in all morphological parameters of transgenic rice. Among the tested rice plants, lowest reduction in whole plant weight was observed in Lip-9 DREB1A while the most sensitive were 35S-DREB1A and wild type. Plants with Lip9-DREB1A and 35S-DREB1A gene exhibited increased fertility than in wild type but eventually Lip9-DREB1A plants with Lip-9 promoter produced higher yield than 35S-DREB1A plants under salt stress. It indicated that Lip9 promoter helped in steady increase in transcription under salinity giving capability to produce more seeds that increases final yield. Conventional PCR system confirmed the presence of transgene (DREB1A) in all transgenic rice plants that give tolerance against salt stress. STIs values showed salt tolerance among rice plants which nominates Lip9-DREB1A to be the more salt tolerant transgenic rice line than wild type and 35S-DREB1A. Exploitation of inducible promoter (Lip9) in plants for abiotic stress tolerance may be more helpful than constitutive promoters (35S).

Overexpression of Arabidopsis DREB1A Gene in Transgenic Poa pratensis: Impacts on Osmotic Adjustment and Hormone Metabolism under Drought

Drought stress is a major limiting factor in turfgrass management in many regions. The objective of this study was to examine responses of transgenic Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) overexpressing an Arabidopsis DREB1A gene to drought stress. Five transgenic Kentucky bluegrass (cv. Baron) lines overexpressing AtDREB1A and wild‐type (WT, nontransgenic plant) were subjected to water deficit for 12 d and then rewatering treatment for 3 d. Leaf relative water content (RWC), turf quality, electrolyte leakage (EL), osmoregulating compounds, abscisic acid (ABA), and indol‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) content were measured. Transgenic plants had higher RWC and turf quality and lower EL relative to WT plants during drought stress and recovery periods. In addition, the transgenic plants had greater osmotic adjustment associated with higher water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSC), proline, and soluble protein in leaf tissues. The transgenic plants had higher IAA and lower ABA content relative to WT plants. The results suggest that the improvement of drought tolerance in transgenic Kentucky bluegrass overexpressing the DREB1A gene may have resulted from increased accumulation of organic solutes (WSC, proline, and protein) and alteration in hormone metabolism.

Genetic Augmentation of Sugarcane with Stress-Inducible DREB1A Transcription Factor Using Biolistic Approach

Sugarcane suffers from various abiotic stresses due to periodic weather changes during long cropping cycle in subtropics, leading to reduction in total yield. DREB1A gene encodes a member of the DREB subfamily of ERF/AP2 transcription factor and is induced in response to various abiotic stresses in plants. Overexpression of DREB in cereals has been associated with enhanced abiotic stress tolerance. In order to generate abiotic stress-tolerant sugarcane, we used synthetic DREB gene construct under the control of stress-inducible RD29 promoter and generated transgenic plants. Genetic transformation of 675 calli using particle gene gun followed by selection on paromomycin resulted into recovery of 55 (~9%) putative transgenic calli. Thirty-five plants were regenerated from paromomycin selected calli. PCR analysis of 35 putative transgenic plants with transgene-specific primer pair gave us 6 plants with the RD29A/DREB gene cassette. Six transgenic plants were vegetatively propagated and subjected to abiotic stresses, i.e. drought, salt, 24-h cold and 5D cold. Reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR analysis for DREB transcript from stressed and control transgenic plants showed DREB transcript induction to 6–18-fold in different abiotic stresses, showing stress-inducible nature of the gene cassette.

Overexpression of the Arabidopsis DREB1A gene enhances potato drought-resistance

Drought is a major environmental stress that limits potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production worldwide. The transcription factor DREB1A/CBF3 specifically interacts with the dehydration responsive element (DRE/CRT) and induces expression of genes involved in environmental stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, DREB1A of A. thaliana was overexpressed in a potato cultivar Longshu 3 (L3) through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. The transformation and overexpression of DREB1A were assessed using PCR, Southern blotting and semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis. The results clearly confirmed that the DREB1A gene was successfully integrated into the genome and expressed. When pot-grown plants with 15–16 leaves were subjected to drought stress treatments by withholding water for 8 days, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), the MDA content and electrolyte leakage in leaves from both non-transgenic and transgenic L3 plants leaves increased. The average activities of SOD, CAT, and POD in transgenic plant leaves, respectively showed 69.77, 60.78, and 24.60% increase than those of non-transgenic L3. The MDA content and electrolyte leakage in non-transgenic L3 plant leaves, respectively increased 59.09 and 37.63% relative to those of transgenic plant leaves. When water was withheld for 14 days control plants exhibited severe wilting and transgenic plants only partially wilting. These results demonstrated that overexpression of DREB1A resulted in improved drought stress tolerance in S. tuberosum plants.

Piercing and incubation method of in planta transformation producing stable transgenic plants by overexpressing DREB1A gene in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.)

Cold is a major constraint for tomato growth and productivity; as it is a cold sensitive crop. DREB1A plays a key role in generating cold tolerance in tomato by regulating the response of multiple genes under chilling stress. In this study, cold tolerant gene (DREB1A) driven by Lip9 promoter, was transformed in three tomato genotypes through Agrobacterium tumefaciens, employing tissue culture independent transformation strategy. Overnight imbibed seeds of tomato were surface sterilized, 3-day old shoot apical meristem of the developing seedling were pierced and incubated for twenty minutes with A. tumefaciens strain EHA-105 having OD600 nm of 1.0. The treated seeds were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium for 2 days. The regenerated shoots were subjected to 35 mg/l hygromycin as a selection for a period of 2–3 weeks. The presence of DREB1A and hpt genes in the hygromycin resistant (T0) transgenic plants was evaluated by PCR analysis. The transgene activity was detected in T1 plants by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction and Southern blotting that showed the stable integration of the transgene to the next generation. Physiological analysis of T2 transgenic plants depicted that increased expression of DREB1A induced only during chilling stress. After various chilling stresses, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and relative water contents of transgenic lines were significantly higher than those of NT plants. While leaf osmotic potential of transgenic plants was lower as compared to NT plants. The established procedure is novel and can produce stable transgenic tomato plants in efficient manner by saving potential resources in terms of cost and time.

DREB1A overexpression in transgenic chickpea alters key traits influencing plant water budget across water regimes.

We demonstrate the role of DREB1A transcription factor in better root and shoot partitioning and higher transpiration efficiency in transgenic chickpea under drought stress Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is mostly exposed to terminal drought stress which adversely influences its yield. Development of cultivars for suitable drought environments can offer sustainable solutions. We genetically engineered a desi-type chickpea variety to ectopically overexpress AtDREB1A, a transcription factor known to be involved in abiotic stress response, driven by the stress-inducible Atrd29A promoter. From several transgenic events of chickpea developed by Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation, four single copy events (RD2, RD7, RD9 and RD10) were characterized for DREB1A gene overexpression and evaluated under water stress in a biosafety greenhouse at T6 generation. Under progressive water stress, all transgenic events showed increased DREB1A gene expression before 50 % of soil moisture was lost (50 % FTSW or fraction of transpirable soil water), with a faster DREB1A transcript accumulation in RD2 at 85 % FTSW. Compared to the untransformed control, RD2 reduced its transpiration in drier soil and higher vapor pressure deficit (VPD) range (2.0-3.4 kPa). The assessment of terminal water stress response using lysimetric system that closely mimics the soil conditions in the field, showed that transgenic events RD7 and RD10 had increased biomass partitioning into shoot, denser rooting in deeper layers of soil profile and higher transpiration efficiency than the untransformed control. Also, RD9 with deeper roots and RD10 with higher root diameter showed that the transgenic events had altered rooting pattern compared to the untransformed control. These results indicate the implicit influence of rd29A::DREB1A on mechanisms underlying water uptake, stomatal response, transpiration efficiency and rooting architecture in water-stressed plants.

Design and make up 35S::DREB1A molecular construct to produce environmental stress tolerant plants

Environmental stresses affect plant growth and cause losses worth hundreds of million dollars of agricultural industry each year. Many genes induced in response to environmental stresses. The DREB1A gene is a stress-inducible transcription factor that its overexpression increased tolerance to environmental stress in transgenic plants. DNA was extracted from Arabidopsis thaliana var. Col.0 plants and DREB1A gene amplified by particular primers. After purification, PCR products were cloned into pGEMT-EASY vector and transferred into E. coli strain DH5α competent cells. Blue/white colonies were analyzed and present of the DREB1A gene revealed by restriction analysis and sequencing test. A 668-bp XbaI/BamHI digested fragment of DREB1A gene from pGEMT::DREB1A construct cloned in pBI121 plasmid. The recombinant plasmids were transferred into Agrobacterium tumefaciens cells strain of LBA4404 and transformed cells were cultured on selective medium that supplied with kanamycin and rifampycin. As a result of gel electrophoresis of Agrobacterium colonies-PCR product, band existing on expected size show that the DREB1A gene was cloned in to pBI121 binary vector. At time, Agrobacterium cells containing of pBI121::DREB1A construct are using for product of environmental stress tolerant plants.

Overexpression of AtDREB1A Causes a Severe Dwarf Phenotype by Decreasing Endogenous Gibberellin Levels in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.

Gibberellic acids (GAs) are plant hormones that play fundamental roles in plant growth and developmental processes. Previous studies have demonstrated that three key enzymes of GA20ox, GA3ox, and GA2ox are involved in GA biosynthesis. In this study, the Arabidopsis DREB1A gene driven by the CaMV 35S promoter was introduced into soybean plants by Agrobacterium- mediated transformation. The results showed that the transgenic soybean plants exhibited a typical phenotype of GA-deficient mutants, such as severe dwarfism, small and dark-green leaves, and late flowering compared to those of the non-transgenic plants. The dwarfism phenotype was rescued by the application of exogenous GA3 once a week for three weeks with the concentrations of 144 µM or three times in one week with the concentrations of 60 µM. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that the transcription levels of the GA synthase genes were higher in the transgenic soybean plants than those in controls, whereas GA-deactivated genes except GmGA2ox4 showed lower levels of expression. The transcript level of GmGA2ox4 encoding the only deactivation enzyme using C20-GAs as the substrates in soybean was dramatically enhanced in transgenic plants compared to that of wide type. Furthermore, the contents of endogenous bioactive GAs were significantly decreased in transgenic plants than those of wide type. The results suggested that AtDREB1A could cause dwarfism mediated by GA biosynthesis pathway in soybean.

Development of Moisture Stress Tolerant Brinjal cv. Utkal Anushree (Solanum melongena L.) Using Agrobacterium Mediated Gene Transformation

An efficient and reproducible in vitro regeneration protocol was developed with high frequency regeneration of shoot buds from shoot-tip in MS medium + BAP (2.0 mg/l) in Brinjal cv. Utkal Anushree. Rooting was obtained on MS medium+ NAA (0.01 mg/l). The Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3107 containing a binary vector pCAMBIA2300 carrying rd29A::DREB1A gene has been used for transformation. The shoot-tip from in vitro grown seedling was pre-cultured for 72 hrs and co-cultivated for 24 hrs. Shoot buds were produced on the regeneration medium containing kanamycin (100 mg/l) and cefotaxime (250 mg/l). A transformation frequency of 6.40% was achieved after PCR analysis with gene specific primer. The gene expression for moisture stress tolerance was assessed through morpho-physiological and biochemical analyses.

DRE-binding Transcription factor (DREB1A) as a master regulator induced a broad range of abiotic stress tolerance in plant

Environmental stresses, such as drought, high salinity, and low and high temperature, affect plant growth. Abiotic stresses cause losses worth hundreds of million dollars of agricultural industry each year and extremely decrease crop productivity. Many genes are induced in response to environmental stresses. TheDREB1A gene is a stress-inducible DRE-binding transcription factor that strongly up-regulates many downstream genes, resulting in adaptation of plants to stress conditions and exercise specific tolerance mechanisms, thereby increase efficiency of plants production. In this review, we presented evidences which show that theDREB1A gene can increase tolerance to drought, salinity, heat and low temperature stresses. Given that the molecular control mechanisms of abioticstress tolerance are similar and DREB1A may have effects on majority of them, it is also possible that over-expression of DREB1A leads to production of plants resistant against heavy metal toxicity and harmful rays or mechanical injuries. Key words: Abiotic stress, DREB1A gene, tolerance plant.

Expression of the DREB1A gene in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik. subsp. culinaris) transformed with the Agrobacterium system

Until now three publications have reported the development of transgenic lentil plants through protocol optimisation using the gusA gene, but there are no reports of the introduction of a gene with agronomic importance. In the present study we report the introduction of the DREB1A gene into lentil to enhance drought and salinity tolerance. Decapitated embryos were immersed in Agrobacterium suspension and then co-cultivated for 4 days. Direct organogenesis was induced from the apical meristems and cotyledonary buds. Subsequently, the explants were subjected to selection in medium containing 10 mg/L phosphinothricin for nine rounds with 2-week intervals. The putative transgenic explants were micro-grafted onto non-transformed rootstocks to establish transgenic plants. The PCR results confirmed the insertion and stable inheritance of the gene of interest and bar marker gene in the plant genome. The Southern blot analysis revealed the integration of a single copy of the transgenes. T0 plants and progeny up to T2 generations showed complete resistance to the herbicide Basta. The DREB1A gene driven by the rd29A promoter was induced in transgenic plants by salt stress from sodium chloride solution. The total RNA was extracted and cDNA synthesised. The results showed that DREB1A mRNA was accumulated and thus the DREB1A transgene was expressed in the transgenic plants, whereas no expression was detected in the non-transformed parents.

DREB1A regulon expression in rd29A:DREB1A transgenic chrysanthemum under low temperature or dehydration stress

SummaryPreviously we reported that expression of the Arabidopsis DREB1A gene in chrysanthemum conferred increased tolerance to low-temperature and dehydration stresses, and that transgenic plants in which the DREB1A gene was driven by the abiotic stress-inducible promoter, rd29A, were more tolerant than those plants in which the DREB1A gene was driven by the 35S Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) promoter. To understand the molecular basis for this improved tolerance, we isolated 74 DREB1A regulon genes using suppression subtractive hybridisation, then compared their expression patterns in rd29A:DREB1A transgenic plants (rd29A plants) and in 35S:DREB1A transgenic plants (35S plants) under different stress conditions. Our results showed that the increased tolerance to low temperatures and dehydration in rd29A plants was attributed to increased levels of expression of different members of the DREB1A regulon. Levels of expression of 69% or 91% for members of the DREB1A regulon that showed upregulation in rd29A plants were highly correlated with the level of expression of DREB1A in response to low temperature or to dehydration, respectively. These results support the hypothesis that the increased tolerance of rd29A plants to abiotic stresses resulted from elevated expression of the DREB1A regulon.

Two cysteine proteinase inhibitors from Arabidopsis thaliana, AtCYSa and AtCYSb, increasing the salt, drought, oxidation and cold tolerance

Two cysteine proteinase inhibitors (cystatins) from Arabidopsis thaliana, designated AtCYSa and AtCYSb, were characterized. Recombinant GST-AtCYSa and GST-AtCYSb were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. They inhibit the catalytic activity of papain, which is generally taken as evidence for cysteine proteinase inhibitor function. Northern blot analyses showed that the expressions of AtCYSa and AtCYSb gene in Arabidopsis cells and seedlings were strongly induced by multiple abiotic stresses from high salt, drought, oxidant, and cold. Interestingly, the promoter region of AtCYSa gene contains a dehydration-responsive element (DRE) and an abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element (ABRE), which identifies it as a DREB1A and AREB target gene. Under normal conditions, AtCYSa was expressed in 35S: DREB1A and 35S: AREB1 plants at a higher level than in WT plants, while AtCYSa gene was expressed in 35S: DREB2A plants at the same level as in WT plants. Under stress conditions (salt, drought and cold), AtCYSa was expressed more in all three transgenic plants than in WT plants. Over-expression of AtCYSa and AtCYSb in transgenic yeast and Arabidopsis plants increased the resistance to high salt, drought, oxidative, and cold stresses. Taken together, these data raise the possibility of using AtCYSa and AtCYSb to genetically improve environmental stresses tolerance in plants.