ABFs and CBFs in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum): A characterization and functional analysis in response to abiotic stress

Abstract

Abiotic stress is pernicious; every year causing substantial reductions in agricultural yield. Despite this, due to the complex nature of the plant response, our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways is limited. Among the gene families shown to play a role in dehydration and low temperature tolerance are the ABFs and CBFs. Both are small families of transcription factors, are expressed in response to abiotic stress, and have been shown to increase abiotic stress tolerance when ectopically expressed. Here, both of these families are isolated and functionally characterized in G. hirsutum (cotton), the most important global natural fiber source. Gene expression analyses illustrate how these genes respond to abiotic stress, and ectopic expression in Arabidopsis illustrates their functionality. Ectopic expression of abiotic stress-related genes has often been shown to increase stress tolerance, however, at a developmental cost. Therefore, a more in-depth understanding of the abiotic stress response is necessary to develop crops able to withstand abiotic stress and at the same time minimize developmental delays.