DREBs-potential transcription factors involve in combating abiotic stress tolerance in plants

Environmental anxieties such as high salinity, drought and extreme temperatures are major abiotic stresses that influence plant survival, growth, productivity and geographical distribution of many essential significant crops over the globe. Plants react to these environmental cues by means of cellular, physio-biochemical and molecular processes, results in adjustment of metabolic and structural alterations and adaptation in plants largely controlled by cascades of molecular networks/ pathways. In recent past dehydration-responsive element-binding (DREB) proteins have been extensively studied and contemplated in improving tolerance to abiotic stresses. This transcription factor belongs to APETALA2 (AP2) family and binds to DRE/CRT cis-element and regulates the stress-responsive genes expression independent to abscisic acid (ABA). Utilizing these regulatory genes and elements, generating transgenic plants looks a potential option in administration of abiotic stresses in crop plants. In the present review, role of DREB gene(s) and their expression behavior and transcriptional regulation in response to multiple abiotic stresses in many crop plants including cash crop like sugarcane is narrated, and concomitantly strategizes their implications in stress breeding and transgenic research.

Automated summary

The paper discusses the significant impact of environmental stresses on plants, focusing on the research progress regarding DREB genes in response to abiotic stresses. It suggests that generating transgenic plants could be a potential option in managing abiotic stresses.