Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2025

Measuring Gene Expression in Bombarded Barley Aleurone Layers with Increased Throughput
Published on: March 30, 2018
One AP2/ERF Transcription Factor Positively Regulates Pi Uptake and Drought Tolerance in Poplar
Ningning Chen1, Jiajia Qin1, Shaofei Tong1
1Key Laboratory for Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
Abstract:
Drought decreases the inorganic phosphate (Pi) supply of soil, resulting in Pi starvation of plants, but the molecular mechanism of how plants, especially the perennial trees, are tolerant to drought stress and Pi starvation, is still elusive. In this study, we identified an AP2/ERF transcription factor gene, PalERF2, from Populus alba var. pyramidalis, and it was induced by both mannitol treatment and Pi starvation. Overexpressing and knocking-down of PalERF2 both enhanced and attenuated tolerance to drought stress and Pi deficiency compared to WT, respectively. Moreover, the overexpression of PalERF2 up-regulated the expression levels of Pi starvation-induced (PSI) genes and increased Pi uptake under drought conditions; however, its RNAi poplar showed the opposite phenotypes. Subsequent analysis indicated that PalERF2 directly modulated expressions of drought-responsive genes PalRD20 and PalSAG113, as well as PSI genes PalPHL2 and PalPHT1;4, through binding to the DRE motifs on their promoters. These results clearly indicate that poplars can recruit PalERF2 to increase the tolerance to drought and also elevate Pi uptake under drought stress.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Cell Signaling in Plants
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Transcription
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss

