Identification of Cis-acting Elements Recognized by ThbHLH1 Transcription Factor of Tamarix hispida

Objective To further study the mechanism of ThbHLH1 overexpression on improving the salt and drought tolerance of Tamarix hispida.

Method The cis-acting elements recognized by ThbHLH1 were identified with the transcription factor-centered yeast one hybridization (TF-centered Y1H) method. To confirm the results of TF-centered Y1H, the effector construct 35S:ThbHLH1 was co-transformed with each reporter constructs pCAM-Cis into tobacco leaves with the particle bombardment method, and then the GUS activity was determined under salt or drought stress.

Result ThbHLH1 could recognize LTRE1 (CCGAAA) and WRKY710S (TGAC) Cis-acting elements.

Conclusion The results show that ThbHLH1 activates gene expression under salt or drought stress by interacting with LTRE1 or WRKY710S motifs.