CgMYB1, an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, can alleviate abiotic stress in an annual halophyte Chenopodium glaucum

MYB transcription factors (TFs) are important regulators of the stress response in plants. In the present study, we characterized the CgMYB1 gene in Chenopodium glaucum, a member of the R2R3-MYB TF family. CgMYB1 was located in the nucleus with an activating domain at the C terminus. The CgMYB1 gene could be induced by salt and cold stress in C. glaucum. Overexpressing CgMYB1 in Arabidopsis significantly enhanced salt and cold tolerance, probably by improving physiological performance and stress-related gene expression. Further analysis suggests that the positive response of CgMYB1 to abiotic stress may partially be attributed to the interaction between CgMYB1 and the CgbHLH001 promoter followed by activation of downstream stress-responsive genes, which mediates stress tolerance. Our findings should contribute to further understanding of the function of R2R3 MYB TF in response to abiotic stress.