The transcription factor HcERF4 confers salt and drought tolerance in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.)

Ethylene response factors (ERF) are members of the APETALA2/ERF transcription factor family, and they play an important role in plant growth, development, to various environmental stresses. In this study, ERF HcERF4 was isolated characterized from kenaf. The results showed contained open reading frame 702 bp, which comprised single AP2 domain. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that gene localized nucleus cytoplasm. Transactivation assays yeast demonstrated functions as a transcriptional activator. Its expression profile investigated by real-time PCR different tissues under salt well drought stress condition. result could be markedly induced time concentration dependent manner. Moreover, silencing using VIGS technique, caused significant growth inhibition or condition, with lower height, stem diameter, fresh weight, indicating plays key roles abiotic stress. addition, physiological index analyses contents MDA, O2−, H2O2, free proline significantly increased, while activities antioxidant enzymes were restrained silenced plants. Furthermore, level eight genes involved regulation, including HcERF3, HcNAC29, HcSOD, HcP5CS, HcbZIP43, HcWRKY31, HcMYB44, HcCBP25 investigated, all highly expressed leaves wild kenaf, but downregulated kenaf plants conditions; Consequently, present indicate positive regulating modulates salinity (Hibiscus cannabinus L.).