Stress-responsive gene ICE1 from Vitis amurensis increases cold tolerance in tobacco

•ICE1 from Vitis amurensis contains bHLH domain and belong to the wood group.•VaICE1 gene is expressed widely in different tissues under low temperature.•Overexpression of VaICE1 enhanced tolerance to freezing stress in transgenic tobacco.

We report the identification of the inducer of CBF expression 1 (ICE1) from Vitis amurensis, an upstream transcription factor that regulates the transcription of CBF-like genes. The structure of the basic helix-loop-helix domain of VaICE1 is closely related to that of ICE1 in woody plants. This gene is strongly induced in leaves, roots, stems, and petioles by cold temperature. With longer duration of exposure to cold treatments, the expression patterns of organs exhibit differences, which are not observed in normal condition. Transgenic tobacco over-expressing VaICE1 has higher chilling tolerance and survival ability by improving the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase, as well as the chlorophyll yield.