Characterization and functional analysis of a B3 domain factor from Zea mays

In this study, we isolated a full-length cDNA and named ZmBDF from zea mays. ZmBDF encoded a protein of 356 amino acids and phylogenetic analysis showed that it belongs to a closely related subgroup with B3 domain factors in plants. The transcript level of ZmBDF could be induced by ABA, MeJA, salt or drought treatments. To further investigated the function of ZmBDF, ZmBDF over-expression transgenic lines were got by transforming it into Arabidopsis thaliana. ZmBDF over-expression transgenic plants in Arabidopsis could increase drought and salt tolerant in germination assay. Under drought condition, net photosynthetic rates (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), and internal leaf CO2 concentration (Ci) were less affected in transgenic plants compared with wild type. Besides, the chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b (chl a/chl b) ratio decreased in WT plants than the transgenic plants and total carotenoid content show opposite trends. Moreover, transgenic plants could also reduce the stomatal density and changed the stomatal shape. Taken together, our data suggested that ZmBDF could improve stress tolerance to drought and salt in maize.