Dof Transcription Factor Dynamics in Plant Stress Responses

DNA-binding with one finger (Dof) transcription factors constitute a plant-specific family characterised by a conserved C2C2-type zinc-finger domain. These proteins orchestrate adaptive gene regulatory networks under diverse environmental challenges, including drought, salinity, temperature extremes and pathogen attack. Dynamic expression of Dof genes, coupled with functional diversification arising from gene duplication and structural variation, underpins their capacity to fine-tune hormone signalling pathways—notably abscisic acid and jasmonate cascades—and to interact with other transcriptional regulators. Genome-wide surveys across angiosperms reveal that Dof family size ranges widely among species, reflecting lineage-specific expansion and neofunctionalisation. Stress-induced modulation of Dof activity occurs at multiple levels: transcriptional reprogramming in specific tissues, post-translational modification of Dof proteins, and miRNA-mediated control. Collectively, these mechanisms enable plants to deploy precise spatiotemporal responses, from stomatal regulation and osmoprotectant accumulation to reinforcement of defence barriers, thereby enhancing resilience and crop performance under adverse conditions.

Research from Nature Portfolio

In cucumber, genome-wide identification uncovered 36 CsDof genes classified into eight phylogenetic groups. Detailed analysis of promoter cis-elements and miRNA target sites revealed potential regulatory circuits linking CsDofs to biotic stress resistance. Expression profiling demonstrated tissue-specific patterns and significant induction of selected CsDofs following infection by watermelon mosaic virus and downy mildew, suggesting their role in orchestrating defence gene expression at a whole-genome scale.

In pepper, 33 CaDof transcription factors were divided into four major subfamilies and mapped onto 11 chromosomes. Conserved motifs and exon–intron architectures underscored evolutionary relationships among CaDofs. High-resolution RNA-seq and quantitative PCR analyses showed that several CaDof genes are highly responsive to heat and salt stresses, positioning them as potential biomarkers and targets for engineering abiotic stress tolerance in solanaceous crops.

Dof Transcription Factor Dynamics in Plant Stress Responses publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in dof transcription factor dynamics in plant stress responses across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Dof transcription factor: A plant-specific protein containing a DNA-binding C2C2 zinc-finger domain that recognises distinct promoter motifs to regulate gene expression.

C2C2 zinc-finger domain: A structural motif in proteins where two cysteine pairs coordinate a zinc ion, enabling sequence-specific DNA binding.

Cis-regulatory element: A short DNA sequence in a gene promoter to which transcription factors bind to modulate gene transcription.

Abscisic acid (ABA): A plant hormone that mediates stress responses, particularly adaptive reactions to drought and salinity.

MicroRNA (miRNA): A small non-coding RNA molecule that post-transcriptionally regulates gene expression by guiding cleavage or translational repression of target mRNAs.

References

1. Identification and characterisation of Dof transcription factors in the cucumber genome. Scientific Reports (2016).
2. Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profile of Dof Transcription Factor Gene Family in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Frontiers in Plant Science (2016).
3. Genome-wide analysis of wheat DNA-binding with one finger (Dof) transcription factor genes: evolutionary characteristics and diverse abiotic stress responses. BMC Genomics (2020).
4. Characterization of Dof Transcription Factors and Their Responses to Osmotic Stress in Poplar (Populus trichocarpa). PLOS ONE (2017).