Cloning the homologue of gene encoding full-length CBF1 transcription factor from Olea europaea L. leaves

One of the most prevalent environmental stresses that affects plants physically and physiologically is the low temperature. Since low temperature adversely affects plant productivity Researchers investigated the molecular processes that regulate the effects of cold stress on plants and discovered many cold responsive genes as well as the control mechanisms that regulate them. CBF/DREB (C repeat binding factor/dehydration response element binding factor) transcription factors induces the expression of corresponding genes in plants in response to abiotic stress conditions such as cold, drought and salinity. These transcription factors contribute to plant resistance to stress by activating genes in various pathways. Genes encoding CBF transcription factors were first discovered in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.). Later, Gene homologs were isolated and cloned from a variety of plants. They belong to the AP2/EREBP protein family. In the present study, the full-length cDNA encoding homologue of the transcription factor CBF1 was cloned from Olea europaea L. cv. Gemlik leaves. A 748 bp long cDNA encodes a hypothetical protein of 224 amino acids. BLAST analysis revealed that the CBF1 sequences of Gemlik cultivar and wild olive were nearly identical. A phylogenetic tree was built using Olea europea L. cv. Gemlik CBF1 sequence.