Abstract: DREB/CBF (Dehydration responsive element binding protein/C-repeat binding factor)transcription factor, the drought responsive element-binding protein/C-repeat sequence,can specifically interact with the DRE/CRT (Dehydration-responsive element/Cis-acting elements). It activates the expressions of genes associated with abiotic stress resistance in plant cells and thus enhances the plant resistance to various stresses. In this paper, the structure, function, species distribution and signal transduction of DREB/CBF transcription factors were systematically introduced. The roles and existing problems of DREB/CBF transcription factors in plant genetic engineering breeding were discussed.All these above are aimed at providing references for the further research and application of DREB/CBF transcription factor.

Key words: DREB/CBF, transcription factor, transgenic plant, stress tolerance breeding