BdERF96 interacts with BdASR1 to specifically respond to drought and oxidative stress in Brachypodium distachyon

Abscisic acid-, stress-, ripening-induced (ASR) proteins are some of the most important small proteins involved in plant responses to abiotic stresses and hormone signals. Recently, BdASR1 was revealed to be upregulated in response to abiotic stresses and hormone treatments and regulate expression of stress-related genes and drought tolerance in tobacco plants. However, the biological and molecular functions of BdASR1 remain to be elucidated. Here, we isolated and characterized BdASR1-interacting protein using the yeast two-hybrid assay. The expression of the interaction protein, BdERF96, increased under drought and oxidative stress corresponding to the expression of BdASR1. Subcellular localization of BdERF96 was detected in the plasma membrane and nucleus. The interaction of BdASR1 and BdERF96 at the plasma membrane and nucleus was demonstrated using bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis. The findings imply that BdERF96 in association with BdASR1 could play a role in the positive response to drought and oxidative stresses.