Research Progress on Plant AP2/ERF Transcription Factor Family

doi:10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2017-1142

Abstract

Abstract: As one of the largest transcription factor family,AP2/ERF transcription factors are common in plants,and have attracted much attention because of their important role in gene breeding. The AP2/ERF transcription factor family contains at least one AP2 conservative domain with about 60 amino acids. According to the number of domains and the sequence of recognition,AP2/ERF transcription factor family can be classified into 5 subfamilies of AP2,ERF,DREB,RAV,and Soloist;and the number of AP2/ERF transcription factor and their subfamily members are variable in different plants,such as Arabidopsis,rice,maize,tomato,etc. Through responses to the regulation of ethylene,cytokinin and auxin,AP2/ERF transcription factors are reported to participate directly or indirectly in multiple processes of plant development including seed development,flower and fruit organ formation. Except for primary metabolism,AP2/ERF transcription factors affect significantly the regulation of plant secondary metabolism,particularly in improving the accumulation of active ingredients of medicinal plants（such as artemisinin,paclitaxel and lignin）. Meanwhile,the AP2/ERF gene of Arabidopsis are also reported to have a positive regulatory function of resistance to Botrytis cinerea,while some AP2/ERFgenes play a vital role in response to drought,high salt,low temperature,hypoxia and other abiotic stresses. In addition,the AP2/ERF transcription factors also participate in the non-biological signal transduction pathways mediated by ethylene. In this study,the structure and classification characteristics of AP2/ERFtranscription factors,their quantity distribution in different plants will be introduced,and the roles of AP2/ERF transcription factors in plant development,secondary metabolism,biotic or abiotic stress and signal transduction will be expounded. Overall,this review is aimed to provide theory basis for cultivating transgenic crops with high-yielding and stress tolerances in the future.

Key words: transcription factors, plant development, secondary metabolism, stress response, signal transduction

ZHANG Qi, CHEN Jing, LI Li, ZHAO Ming-zhu, ZHANG Mei-ping, WANG Yi. Research Progress on Plant AP2/ERF Transcription Factor Family[J]. Biotechnology Bulletin, 2018, 34(8): 1-7.

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