Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 2, 2026

Measuring Gene Expression in Bombarded Barley Aleurone Layers with Increased Throughput
Published on: March 30, 2018
A Poaceae-specific DREB-A6 transcription factor TaDREB26-B regulates ABA responses and enhances drought stress
Yufan Zhang1, Min Tu2, Jiapeng Han3
1The International Science and Technology Cooperation Base (Genetic Engineering) of Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
Introduction:
Dehydration-responsive element-binding (DREB) transcription factors, members of the AP2/ERF superfamily, are pivotal regulators of stress-responsive gene expression by binding to DRE/CRT cis-elements. They represent promising targets for engineering crop resilience.
Objectives:
This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying ABA-mediated transcription and growth inhibition during drought stress in wheat, with the goal of identifying key drought-resistance genes.
Methods:
The reverse genetics was employed in both Arabidopsis and wheat to investigate the drought-resistance function of TaDREB26-B. The regulatory interplay between TaDREB26-B and abscisic acid-responsive element-binding factors (ABFs), central components of ABA signaling, was dissected using Y1H, LUC, and EMSA assays.
Results:
Co-localization with drought-related QTLs and stress-responsive expression profiles nominated TaDREB26 as a strong candidate drought-tolerance gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a Poaceae-specific clade within the DREB-A6 group harboring multiple stress-responsive DREBs. TaDREB26-B expression was rapidly upregulated by drought and ABA. Transgenic plants overexpressing TaDREB26-B exhibited enhanced drought tolerance and heightened ABA sensitivity. Mechanistically, TaDREB26-B activated AtABI4 in Arabidopsis and directly bound the promoter of TaABF2 to amplify the ABA signaling cascade in wheat. Furthermore, we identified a potential feedback regulatory module wherein TaDREB26-B activates TaABF2, while TaABF3 represses TaDREB26-B expression, fine-tuning ABA-responsive transcription.
Conclusion:
This work delineates a Poaceae-specific DREB clade and establishes TaDREB26-B as a prime regulator for improving drought tolerance. These findings provide novel molecular insights into the ABA-dependent transcriptional network governing stress responses and growth in wheat.
More Related Videos
11:27A Flexible Low Cost Hydroponic System for Assessing Plant Responses to Small Molecules in Sterile Conditions
Published on: August 25, 2018
08:39Author Spotlight: Polysome Profiling Protocol for Studying Translational Regulation in Arabidopsis Under Heat Stress
Published on: October 11, 2024
Related Concept Videos
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
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Gene Regulation During Sporulation