Characterization of two VvICE1 genes isolated from 'Muscat Hamburg' grapevine and their effect on the tolerance to abiotic stresses

To investigate the molecular nature of the cold responsive genes and elucidate its regulatory network, two putative bHLH transcription factors, named VvICE1a and VvICE1b, were isolated from table grape cultivar 'Muscat Hamburg' (Vitis vinifera). The expression of VvICE1a and VvICE1b were induced by a wide spectrum of abiotic stresses, including cold, exogenous abscisic acid (ABA), drought, salinity, and cold-drought conditions. The constitutive expression of VvICE1a and VvICE1b improved the tolerance to cold accompanying increased resistance to drought and salinity in transgenic arabidopsis. Moreover, in the VvICE1a and VvICE1b transgenic plants, the transcript levels of two stress-responsive genes AtRD29A and AtCOR47 were enhanced under normal growth conditions.