Abstract:

ERF (Ethylene Responsive Factor) transcription factors are an important subfamily of the AP2/ERF family, characterized by a highly conserved AP2 domain. They specifically recognize and bind to cis-acting elements such as GCC-box and DRE/CRT in the promoters of target genes, playing a central regulatory role in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Members of the ERF family are primarily involved in regulating responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, high salt, low temperature, and hypoxia, while others mediate resistance to biotic stresses like pathogens through hormone signaling pathways involving salicylic acid and jasmonic acid. In recent years, several key ERF members involved in stress responses have been identified in maize, and their crucial roles in enhancing drought tolerance, salt tolerance, and disease resistance have been confirmed through genetic transformation. Through literature research and inductive analysis, this review summarizes the structural characteristics and functional classification of ERF transcription factors in maize, with a focus on elucidating their regulatory mechanisms and networks under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. ERF transcription factors, via their conserved AP2 domain, bind to cis-acting elements such as the GCC-box and DRE/CRT, participate in phytohormone signaling pathways including abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET) to regulate downstream stress-responsive gene expression. 229 maize AP2/ERF family genes have been identified, among which 105 ERF subfamily members respond to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures, as well as biotic stresses such as Exserohilum turcicum and Fusarium graminearum, some genes (e.g., ZmERF21 and ZmEREB92) have broad-spectrum stress tolerance potential. ERF transcription factors are the core nodes of maize stress resistance regulatory network, enhancing resilience through multiple collaborative approaches. Future research should integrate technologies like ChIP-seq and gene editing to further elucidate ERF target genes and interaction networks, excavate superior allelic variants, provide genetic resources and theoretical support for molecular design and breeding of maize stress resistance.

Key words: maize, ethylene response factor, transcription factors, abiotic stress, biotic stress