Gene Expression Regulation in Salvia miltiorrhiza

Transcription factors are a group of proteins that modulate many important biological processes by regulating the transcription of downstream target genes. In general, each plant transcription factor contains a DNA-binding domain, an oligomerization domain, a transcription regulation domain and a nuclear localization signal. In the past few years, many progresses have been made in the characterization of S. miltiorrhiza transcription factors on a genome-wide scale. It includes cloning of open reading frames (ORFs), sequence analysis, and expression profiling. Many identified transcription factors are members of the MYB, WRKY, bHLH, ZIP and AP2/ERF families. Some of them have been found to play key roles in plant hormone signaling and in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Transcription factors have been identified as regulators in the biosynthesis of various secondary metabolites in S. miltiorrhiza. In this chapter, I briefly summarized recent research progresses in the regulatory role of transcription factors in S. miltiorrhiza growth and differentiation, stresses and metabolic pathways. It will facilitate further characterization of transcription factors in S. miltiorrhiza.