ERF subfamily transcription factors and their function in plant responses to abiotic stresses

Abstract

Ethylene Responsive Factor (ERF) subfamily comprise the largest number of proteins in the plant AP2/ERF superfamily, and have been most extensively studied on the biological functions. Members of this subfamily have been proven to regulate plant resistances to various abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, chilling and some other adversities. Under these stresses, ERFs are usually activated by mitogen-activated protein kinase induced phosphorylation or escape from ubiquitin-ligase enzymes, and then form complex with nucleic proteins before binding to cis-element in promoter regions of stress responsive genes. In this review, we will discuss the phylogenetic relationships among the ERF subfamily proteins, summarize molecular mechanism how the transcriptional activity of ERFs been regulated and how ERFs of different subgroup regulate the transcription of stress responsive genes, such as high-affinity K+ transporter gene PalHKT1;2, reactive oxygen species related genes LcLTP, LcPrx, and LcRP, flavonoids synthesis related genes FtF3H and LhMYBSPLATTER, etc. Though increasing researches demonstrate that ERFs are involved in various abiotic stresses, very few interact proteins and target genes of them have been comprehensively annotated. Hence, future research prospects are described on the mechanisms of how stress signals been transited to ERFs and how ERFs regulate the transcriptional expression of stress responsive genes.

Comprehensive genome‐wide analysis of the DREB gene family in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): evidence for the role of PeDREB28 in plant abiotic stress response

“…The AP2 domain (PF00847) was used to perform a hidden Markov model search (HMM) and BLASTP search on the whole‐genome protein sequence of Moso bamboo. The reliability and integrity of the putative PeDREB candidates were further studied based on the variations in the amino acid sequences as described previously (Wu et al., 2022). The redundant irrelevant genes were removed, and 44 PeDREBs from the updated Moso bamboo genome were identified and named according to their chromosomal positions (Table S1).…”

“…The AP2 domain (PF00847) was used to perform a hidden Markov model search (HMM) and BLASTP search on thewhole-genome protein sequence of Moso bamboo. The reliability and integrity of the putative PeDREB candidates were further studied based on the variations in the amino acid sequences as described previously (Wu et al, 2022).…”

Functional studies of plant transcription factors and their relevance in the plant root-knot nematode interaction

“…In recent years, a connection between stress signaling and developmental programs, such as root regeneration, has been extensively described ( Ikeuchi et al., 2019 ). One example of the RKNs interaction involves the ERF109 and ERF115 transcription factors, which belong to the Ethylene Responsive Factor (ERF) subfamily within the APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSIVE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) superfamily ( Sakuma et al., 2002 ; Wu et al., 2022 ). These transcription factors are involved in a core molecular network triggered by wound-induced JA, which induces stem cell activation and regeneration of Arabidopsis thaliana roots ( Zhou et al., 2019 ).…”

Ethylene‐MPK8‐ERF.C1‐PR module confers resistance against Botrytis cinerea in tomato fruit without compromising ripening

“…Ethylene Responsive Factors (ERFs) are plant‐specific transcription factors (TFs) that are widely involved in regulation of plant development and response to biotic or abiotic stresses (Riechmann et al ., 2000; Mueller & Munne‐Bosch, 2015; Liu et al ., 2016). Among ERF groups, members in Group IX have been shown to act as key regulators in plant defense against pathogen infection (He et al ., 2001; Gu et al ., 2002; Guo et al ., 2004; Cao et al ., 2006; Onate‐Sanchez et al ., 2007; Liu et al ., 2012; Anderson et al ., 2010; Wu et al ., 2022). For instance, Arabidopsis Group IX ERFs such as AtERF1, AtERF2, AtERF5, AtERF6, AtERF14, AtERF104, and AtORA59 are able to confer resistance to pathogen attack by regulating defense‐related (DR) gene expression (Onate‐Sanchez et al ., 2007; Pre et al ., 2008; Moffat et al ., 2012; Meng et al ., 2013).…”