An A20/AN1-zinc-finger domain containing protein gene in tea is differentially expressed during winter dormancy and in response to abiotic stress and plant growth regulators

• A20/AN1-zinc-finger domain containing protein was cloned from tea.
• The gene belonged to a multi-gene family and was intron-less.
• The gene was expressed maximally in root and fruit compared to leaf, floral bud and stem.
• The gene responded to various cues in a temperature dependent manner.
• The gene exhibited up-regulation during winter dormancy.

The present manuscript describes cloning and expression characterization of A20/AN1-zinc-finger domain containing protein (CsZfp) gene in an evergreen tree tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] in response to winter dormancy (WD), abiotic stresses (polyethylene glycol, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium chloride) and plant growth regulators [abscisic acid (ABA), and gibberellic acid (GA3)]. CsZfp encoded a putative protein of 173 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 18.44 kDa, an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.50 and grand average of hydropathicity (GRAVY) value of − 0.334. The gene did not have an intron, and belonged to a multi-gene family. During the period of active growth (PAG), CsZfp showed maximum expression in root and fruit as compared to leaf, floral bud and stem. Interaction studies between temperature and plant growth regulators on the expression of CsZfp showed that ABA upregulated CsZfp expression at growth temperature (GT; 25 °C) but had no effect at low temperature (LT; 4 °C). In response to GA3, upregulation was observed at LT but not at GT. Further, the expression was not modulated by LT either in the tissue harvested during PAG or during WD. It was interesting to record that the expression of CsZfp was upregulated by hydrogen peroxide and sodium chloride, whereas it was non-responsive to polyethylene glycol. The possible role of CsZfp in playing key but differential roles in tea to various abiotic stresses is discussed.