CsICE1 and CsCBF1: two transcription factors involved in cold responses in Camellia sinensis

C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element binding factors (CBFs) can induce the expression of a suite of cold-responsive genes to increase plant cold tolerance, and inducer of CBF expression 1 (ICE1) is a major activator for CBF. In the present study, we isolated the full-length cDNAs of ICE1 and CBF from Camellia sinensis, designated as CsICE1 and CsCBF1, respectively. The deduced protein CsICE1 contains a highly conserved basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain and C-terminal region of ICE1-like proteins. CsCBF1 contains all conserved domains of CBFs in other plant species and can specifically bind to the C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element (CRT/DRE) as confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The transcription of CsICE1 had no apparent alteration after chilling treatment (4 degrees C). CsCBF1 expression was not detected in normal temperature (20 degrees C) but was induced immediately and significantly by low temperature (4 degrees C). Our results suggest that ICE1-CBF cold-response pathway is conserved in tea plants. CsICE1 and CsCBF1, two components of this pathway, play roles in cold responses in tea plants.