Genome-wide analysis of the DREB family genes and functional identification of the involvement of BrDREB2B in abiotic stress in wucai (Brassica campestris L.)

Eco-friendly fabrication of Zn-based nanoparticles: implications in agricultural advancement and elucidation of toxicity aspects

Zinc (Zn) is a vital micronutrient required for optimal plant growth and soil fertility. Its use in the form of nanoparticles (NPs) has gained significant attention in agricultural applications. Green synthesized Zn-based NPs offer an eco-friendly solution to several conventional problems in agriculture. Several plants, bacteria, fungi and yeast have shown significant potential in fabricating Zn NPs that can provide environmentally friendly solutions in agriculture and the approach is aligned with sustainable agricultural practices, reducing the dependency on harmful agrochemicals. Zn-based NPs act as plant growth promoters, enhance crop yield, promote resilience to abiotic stressors and are efficient crop protection agents. Their role as a smart delivery system, enabling targeted and controlled release of agrochemicals, further signifies their potential use in agriculture. Because agriculture requires repeated applications hence, the toxicological aspects of Zn NPs cannot be ignored. Zn NPs are reported to cause phytotoxicity, including root damage, physiological and biochemical disturbances, and genotoxic effects. Furthermore, exposure to Zn NPs poses risks to soil microbiota, and aquatic and terrestrial organisms potentially impacting the ecosystem. The green synthesis of Zn-based NPs has a promising aspect for advancing sustainable agriculture by reducing agrochemical use and improving crop productivity. Their diverse applications as plant growth promoters, crop protectants and smart delivery systems emphasize their potential. However, the toxicological aspects are essential to ensure the standardization of doses for their safe and effective use. Further research would help address such concerns and help in developing viable and eco-friendly solutions for modern agriculture. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Genome-wide characterization of pepper DREB family members and biological function of CaDREB32 in response to salt and osmotic stresses

Dehydration response element binding (DREB) transcription factors play multiple roles in plant growth, development and response to abiotic stress. However, their biological functions in response to salt and osmotic stress in vegetables of the Solanaceae family are largely unclear. Here, 49 CaDREB genes classified into six groups were identified in the pepper genome. They showed high conservation in gene structure, with four tandem and six segmental duplications occurred during gene expansion, and various stress and hormone response, light and development-related cis-acting elements identified in their promoters. Transcription analyses demonstrated that they were all constitutively expressed in different organs, and were upregulated by both salt and osmotic stresses. Heterologous expression of CaDREB32 in tobacco restrained the normal growth, but increased the resistance of transgenic plants to salt and osmotic stresses. Further physiochemical analyses revealed that constitutive expression of CaDREB32 increased superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities, and proline, total soluble sugar and chlorophyll, but decreased malondialdehyde, H2O2, and O2.- contents, accompanied with up-regulated expression of stress-related genes, in the leaves of transgenic plants under salt and osmotic stress conditions. Our results will provide insight into the possible biological functions of DREB family members in pepper, and theoretical guidance for the potential application of this family to the genetic breeding of new pepper cultivars with enhanced abiotic stress resistance.

Dehydration-responsive element-binding transcription factor, GuDREB35, positively regulates drought tolerance in licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis)

Dehydration-responsive element-binding (DREB) transcription factors associated with abiotic stress responses. However, an understanding of the DREB gene family and its functions in drought tolerance in licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is limited. In this study, 79 GuDREB genes were identified across the licorice genome and divided into six major groups. In addition, we provided information on the phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, collinear relationships and cis-regulatory elements of GuDREBs. Bioinformatical and gene expression pattern analysis showed that the expression of the GuDREB35 of the A5 group was considerably induced by drought stress. Overexpression of GuDREB35 significantly enhanced drought tolerance and promoted flavonoid accumulation in licorice. Conversely, GuDREB35-RNAi plants exhibit significantly reduced drought resistance and a significant decrease in flavonoid levels. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the overexpression of GuDREB35 up-regulated the expression of genes involved in antioxidant defense and flavonoid biosynthesis. Protein-DNA interaction studies further confirmed that GuDREB35 directly bound to the promoters of GuBGLU12 and GuOMT1, which are two enzymes in the flavonoid synthesis pathway. Our research demonstrates that GuDREB35 enhances drought stress tolerance by activating antioxidant defense and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, providing a theoretical foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance and developing drought-resistant licorice varieties.

Identification of DREB gene family in foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and analysis of its expression pattern in response to abiotic stress

Dehydration response element binding proteins (DREBs) play a vital role in transcriptional regulators in enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stress. To investigate the biological functions of the DREB gene family (SiDREBs) in foxtail millet (Setaria italica), this study performed bioinformatics and gene expression analysis on SiDREBs under abiotic stress. A total of 166 family members of SiDREBs were identified, which were classified into six subfamilies. SiDREBs were unevenly distributed on nine chromosomes, and were designated as SiDREB1-166 based on their chromosomal positions. Covariance analysis revealed that SiDREBs were much more closely related to monocotyledonous plants sorghum, maize, and rice than to dicotyledonous plants Arabidopsis thaliana, tomato, and soybean. Promoter cis-acting element analysis showed that SiDREBs contained stress-related cis-acting elements. Under saline-alkali stress, SiDREB153 exhibited significantly different expression levels between the resistant and susceptible materials, indicating that it plays a positive regulatory role in the response of foxtail millet to saline-alkali stress. Among different abiotic stresses, the expression of SiDREB80 increased under drought, saline-alkali, and shade stress, that of SiDREB4/129/131 rose under saline-alkali and high temperature stress, and that of SiDREB159 increased under herbicide and saline-alkali stress. These genes play an important role in the response of foxtail millet to stress. These findings provide a theoretical basis for further studies on the function of SiDREBs in response to abiotic stress.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the DREB gene family in foxtail millet (Setaria Italica L.)

BACKGROUND

Dehydration response element binding factors (DREBs) are a family of plant-specific transcription factors that regulate plant responses.

RESULTS

In this study, members of the SiDREB gene family were identified and analyzed in terms of their physicochemical properties, phylogeny, and structure of the encoded proteins. The expression patterns of the DREB transcription factors in foxtail millet under stress were analysed by combining the qRT-PCR data for foxtail millet after exposure to low temperature, abscisic acid (ABA), and osmotic stress (20% PEG 6000). There were 56 SiDREB genes, which were divided into six subgroups, that were located on nine chromosomes of foxtail millet. Chromosomal localization showed that the SiDREB genes were unevenly distributed across nine foxtail millet chromosomes. Furthermore, qRT‒PCR experiments revealed that 19 SiDREB genes play a role in the response to abiotic stress and ABA.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study lay a foundation for further research on the functions of the DREB genes in foxtail millet and will be beneficial foe the genetic improvement of this species.

BnDREB1 confers cadmium tolerance in ramie

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal whose contamination in soil threatens food safety, agricultural production, and human health. To date, phytoremediation is a low-cost and environmentally friendly method for eliminating Cd contamination. In this study, we report a gene from ramie (Boehmeria nivea) that encodes a dehydration responsive element binding (DREB) factor associated with plant tolerance to Cd, namely BnDREB1. The open reading frame of BnDREB1 comprises 873 bp encoding 290 amino acids and includes a characteristic AP2 domain. Its cloned promoter sequence contains various hormone and stress responsive elements. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that BnDREB1 is expressed in different organs of ramie. Treatments with polyethylene glycol (PEG), abscisic acid (ABA), and Cd upregulated the expression of BnDREB1. Confocal microscopic analysis revealed that BnDREB1 is mainly localized in the nucleus. Overexpression of BnDREB1 in Arabidopsis thaliana increased the tolerance of transgenic plants to Cd, thereby protecting plant growth from its toxicity. Biochemical analysis revealed that overexpression of BnDREB1 reduced the levels of Cd induced malonaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide, inhibited the reduction of Cd caused soluble protein contents, increased the Cd accumulation, and enhanced Cd translocation in transgenic plants. Taken together, these findings suggest that BnDREB1 is an appropriate candidate gene for phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil .

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression of the ERF Gene Family in Populus trichocarpa and Their Responses to Nitrogen and Abiotic Stresses

The ethylene response factor (ERF) family is a prominent plant-specific transcription factor family, which plays a crucial role in modulating plant growth and stress tolerance. In this study, a total of 210 ERFs were identified in Populus trichocarpa, comprising 29 AP2 (APETALA2) subfamily members, 176 ERF subfamily members, and 5 RAV (related to ABI3/VP1) subfamily members. The duplication events of the PtERF family members exclusively occurred within the subfamilies. A total of 168 duplication pairs were found among 161 PtERF genes, and all of them were fragment duplications. Gene structure analysis revealed that most ERF subfamily members only had one exon without introns, the AP2 subfamily members had six or more introns and exons, and RAV subfamily members lacked introns except for PtERF102. Considerable cis-acting elements associated with plant growth and development, stress response, hormone response, and light response were detected in the promoters of PtERF genes. The expression levels of PtERFs were highest in roots across tissues and in winter among seasons. Furthermore, the nitrate and urea stimulated the expression of PtERF genes. The co-expression network analysis based on PtERFs indicated their potential roles in hormone signaling, acyltransferase activity, and response to chemicals. This study provides novel insights into investigating the role of PtERFs in environmental stress in poplar species.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of Dehydration-Responsive Element-Binding Family Genes in Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Dehydration-responsive element-binding (DREB) transcription factors are ubiquitous in plants and regulate plant growth, development, signal transduction, and responses to stress, particularly drought stress. However, DREB genes in flax have not previously been studied. This study conducted a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the DREB gene family in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). A total of 59 LuDREB genes were identified in Longya-10 (a breeding variety), with an uneven distribution across all 15 chromosomes. Further analysis revealed significant variations among LuDREB members, with predictions indicating that these proteins are hydrophilic and localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. A phylogenetic analysis classified the LuDREB genes into six subgroups, a classification further supported by gene structure and motif composition. Members within the same subgroup exhibited structural conservation, suggesting functional redundancy. The duplication analysis identified 30 pairs of segmentally duplicated LuDREB genes and one pair of tandemly duplicated genes, indicating that segmental duplication was the primary driver of LuDREB gene expansion. A comparative collinearity analysis revealed that most LuDREB genes had orthologs in other plant species, suggesting that this gene family has remained relatively conserved throughout evolution. Cis-acting element analysis identified numerous hormone- and stress-responsive elements in LuDREB promoters, and the quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results confirmed the role of all LuDREB genes in drought stress response. In addition, transcriptome analysis revealed that LuDREB49 and LuDREB56 exhibited high expression levels in the capsules, whereas LuDREB3 and LuDREB36 showed significantly higher expression levels in the stems, suggesting that these LuDREB genes may have specialized functions in capsule or stem development. Collectively, this study provides a comprehensive overview of LuDREB genes, offering valuable insights into their roles in flax growth, development, and stress responses.

Overexpression of a Fragaria × ananassa AP2/ERF Transcription Factor Gene (FaTINY2) Increases Cold and Salt Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

The AP2/ERF family of transcription factors is one of the most conserved and important transcription factor families, and it is ubiquitous in plants. It plays an essential role in plant morphogenesis, molecular mechanisms of stress responses, hormone signaling pathways, and synthesis of secondary metabolites. FaTINY2 was cloned from the octaploid strawberry Fragaria × ananassa for this investigation. Bioinformatics revealed that the protein possesses a conserved AP2 domain and is localized in the nucleus. When FaTINY2 was expressed in plants, quantitative analysis revealed that the gene was tissue-specific. There are lower contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), higher contents of proline, chlorophyll, and higher activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana than wild type (WT) and unload line (UL) plants under cold and salt stress. FaTINY2 plays a role in enhancing stress tolerance by regulating a few genes linked to the stress response. The findings of this study were that FaTINY2 transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants were more tolerant to salt and cold than WT and UL plants. In addition to offering a theoretical reference for strawberry production under stress, this research established a groundwork for exploration into the molecular mechanisms in which strawberries respond to cold and high salt stress.

The molecular pathways leading to GABA and lactic acid accumulation in florets of organic broccoli rabe (Brassica rapa subsp. sylvestris) stored as fresh or as minimally processed product

In the context of organic farming, the introduction of a local product to wider markets and an evaluation of storage effects, metabolic and transcriptomic variations in two broccoli rabe genotypes from production cycles of two different years were studied by comparing florets of stored fresh (SF) and packaged (P) for 4 days with those harvested fresh from the field (H). Twenty-five hydrosoluble compounds, including amino acids, carbohydrates, and organic acids, were quantified by untargeted nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Principal component analysis produced a neat separation among the three commodity statuses with P being the most divergent and SF closer to H. In the packaged florets, carbohydrate levels dropped significantly (over -52%), while the levels of amino acids and organic acids varied. There was an increase in stress-responsive phenylalanine and valine (over 30%) and succinic and α-ketoglutaric acids (over 75%). Compound correlation analyses indicated a carbohydrate sink towards γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and lactic acid (LA) metabolism under hypoxic conditions in packaged florets. RNA-seq analysis revealed that over 4000 genes were differentially expressed in SF vs H and 8000 in P vs H. Several CAR and AA pathways were significantly enriched in S and even more significantly in P, when compared to H. A map of gene expression (175 genes) and metabolite contents (14 compounds) was constructed to elucidate the gene routes that lead to accumulation of GABA and LA, known for healthy properties, in P. WGCNA and promoter binding site analyses enabled the identification of transcription factors (bZIP, WRKY, ERF types), interactions, and targeted genes encoding key enzymes in GABA and LA accumulation.

APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factors in higher plant and their roles in regulation of plant stress response

Plants, anchored throughout their life cycles, face a unique set of challenges from fluctuating environments and pathogenic assaults. Central to their adaptative mechanisms are transcription factors (TFs), particularly the AP2/ERF superfamily-one of the most extensive TF families unique to plants. This family plays instrumental roles in orchestrating diverse biological processes ranging from growth and development to secondary metabolism, and notably, responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Distinguished by the presence of the signature AP2 domain or its responsiveness to ethylene signals, the AP2/ERF superfamily has become a nexus of research focus, with increasing literature elucidating its multifaceted roles. This review provides a synoptic overview of the latest research advancements on the AP2/ERF family, spanning its taxonomy, structural nuances, prevalence in higher plants, transcriptional and post-transcriptional dynamics, and the intricate interplay in DNA-binding and target gene regulation. Special attention is accorded to the ethylene response factor B3 subgroup protein Pti5 and its role in stress response, with speculative insights into its functionalities and interaction matrix in tomatoes. The overarching goal is to pave the way for harnessing these TFs in the realms of plant genetic enhancement and novel germplasm development.

Identification of DREB Family Genes in Banana and Their Function under Drought and Cold Stress

Bananas are one of the most important cash crops in the tropics and subtropics. Drought and low-temperature stress affect the growth of banana. The DREB (dehydration responsive element binding protein) gene family, as one of the major transcription factor families, plays crucial roles in defense against abiotic stress. Currently, systematic analyses of the banana DREB (MaDREB) gene family have not yet been reported. In this study, 103 members of the MaDREB gene family were identified in the banana genome. In addition, transcriptomic analysis results revealed that MaDREBs responded to drought and cold stress. The expression of MaDREB14/22/51 was induced by drought and cold stress; these geneswere selected for further analysis. The qRT-PCR validation results confirmed the transcriptome results. Additionally, transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing MaDREB14/22/51 exhibited enhanced resistance to drought and cold stress by reducing MDA content and increasing PRO and soluble sugar content. This study enhances our understanding of the function of the MaDREB gene family, provides new insights into their regulatory role under abiotic stress, and lays a good foundation for improving drought and cold stress-tolerant banana verities.

Characterization of DREB family genes in Lotus japonicus and LjDREB2B overexpression increased drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis

BACKGROUND

Drought stress affects plant growth and development. DREB proteins play important roles in modulating plant growth, development, and stress responses, particularly under drought stress. To study the function of DREB transcription factors (TFs), we screened key DREB-regulating TFs for drought in Lotus japonicus.

RESULTS

Forty-two DREB TFs were identified, and phylogenetic analysis of proteins from L. japonicus classified them into five subfamilies (A1, A2, A4, A5, A6). The gene motif composition of the proteins is conserved within the same subfamily. Based on the cis-acting regulatory element analysis, we identified many growth-, hormone-, and stress-responsive elements within the promoter regions of DREB. We further analyzed the expression pattern of four genes in the A2 subfamily in response to drought stress. We found that the expression of most of the LjDREB A2 subfamily genes, especially LjDREB2B, was induced by drought stress. We further generated LjDREB2B overexpression transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Under drought stress, the growth of wild-type (WT) and overexpressing LjDREB2B (OE) Arabidopsis lines was inhibited; however, OE plants showed better growth. The malondialdehyde content of LjDREB2B overexpressing lines was lower than that of the WT plants, whereas the proline content and antioxidant enzyme activities in the OE lines were significantly higher than those in the WT plants. Furthermore, after drought stress, the expression levels of AtP5CS1, AtP5CS2, AtRD29A, and AtRD29B in the OE lines were significantly higher than those in the WT plants.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results facilitate further functional analysis of L. japonicus DREB. LjDREB2B overexpression improves drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis. These results indicate that DREB holds great potential for the genetic improvement of drought tolerance in L. japonicus.

MdbHLH160 is stabilized via reduced MdBT2-mediated degradation to promote MdSOD1 and MdDREB2A-like expression for apple drought tolerance

Drought stress is a key environmental factor limiting the productivity, quality, and geographic distribution of crops worldwide. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important role in plant drought stress responses, but the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report an ABA-responsive bHLH transcription factor, MdbHLH160, which promotes drought tolerance in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and apple (Malus domestica). Under drought conditions, MdbHLH160 is directly bound to the MdSOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1) promoter and activated its transcription, thereby triggering reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and enhancing apple drought tolerance. MdbHLH160 also promoted MdSOD1 enzyme activity and accumulation in the nucleus through direct protein interactions, thus inhibiting excessive nuclear ROS levels. Moreover, MdbHLH160 directly upregulated the expression of MdDREB2A-like, a DREB (dehydration-responsive element binding factor) family gene that promotes apple drought tolerance. Protein degradation and ubiquitination assays showed that drought and ABA treatment stabilized MdbHLH160. The BTB protein MdBT2 was identified as an MdbHLH160-interacting protein that promoted MdbHLH160 ubiquitination and degradation, and ABA treatment substantially inhibited this process. Overall, our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of ABA-modulated drought tolerance at both the transcriptional and post-translational levels via the ABA-MdBT2-MdbHLH160-MdSOD1/MdDREB2A-like cascade.

Comparative Analysis of the GATA Transcription Factors in Five Solanaceae Species and Their Responses to Salt Stress in Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.)

GATA proteins are a class of zinc-finger DNA-binding proteins that participate in diverse regulatory processes in plants, including the development processes and responses to environmental stresses. However, a comprehensive analysis of the GATA gene family has not been performed in a wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) or other Solanaceae species. There are 156 GATA genes identified in five Solanaceae species (Lycium barbarum L., Solanum lycopersicum L., Capsicum annuum L., Solanum tuberosum L., and Solanum melongena L.) in this study. Based on their phylogeny, they can be categorized into four subfamilies (I-IV). Noticeably, synteny analysis revealed that dispersed- and whole-genome duplication contributed to the expansion of the GATA gene family. Purifying selection was a major force driving the evolution of GATA genes. Moreover, the predicted cis-elements revealed the potential roles of wolfberry GATA genes in phytohormone, development, and stress responses. Furthermore, the RNA-seq analysis identified 31 LbaGATA genes with different transcript profiling under salt stress. Nine candidate genes were then selected for further verification using quantitative real-time PCR. The results revealed that four candidate LbaGATA genes (LbaGATA8, LbaGATA19, LbaGATA20, and LbaGATA24) are potentially involved in salt-stress responses. In conclusion, this study contributes significantly to our understanding of the evolution and function of GATA genes among the Solanaceae species, including wolfberry.

Genome-Wide Analysis of MBF1 Family Genes in Five Solanaceous Plants and Functional Analysis of SlER24 in Salt Stress

Multiprotein bridging factor 1 (MBF1) is an ancient family of transcription coactivators that play a crucial role in the response of plants to abiotic stress. In this study, we analyzed the genomic data of five Solanaceae plants and identified a total of 21 MBF1 genes. The expansion of MBF1a and MBF1b subfamilies was attributed to whole-genome duplication (WGD), and the expansion of the MBF1c subfamily occurred through transposed duplication (TRD). Collinearity analysis within Solanaceae species revealed collinearity between members of the MBF1a and MBF1b subfamilies, whereas the MBF1c subfamily showed relative independence. The gene expression of SlER24 was induced by sodium chloride (NaCl), polyethylene glycol (PEG), ABA (abscisic acid), and ethrel treatments, with the highest expression observed under NaCl treatment. The overexpression of SlER24 significantly enhanced the salt tolerance of tomato, and the functional deficiency of SlER24 decreased the tolerance of tomato to salt stress. SlER24 enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity to reduce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alleviated plasma membrane damage under salt stress. SlER24 upregulated the expression levels of salt stress-related genes to enhance salt tolerance in tomato. In conclusion, this study provides basic information for the study of the MBF1 family of Solanaceae under abiotic stress, as well as a reference for the study of other plants.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of DREB family genes in cotton

BACKGROUND

Dehydration responsive element-binding (DREB) transcription factors are widely present in plants, and involve in signalling transduction, plant growth and development, and stress response. DREB genes have been characterized in multiple species. However, only a few DREB genes have been studied in cotton, one of the most important fibre crops. Herein, the genome‑wide identification, phylogeny, and expression analysis of DREB family genes are performed in diploid and tetraploid cotton species.

RESULTS

In total, 193, 183, 80, and 79 putative genes containing the AP2 domain were identified using bioinformatics approaches in G. barbadense, G. hirsutum, G. arboretum, and G. raimondii, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that based on the categorization of Arabidopsis DREB genes, 535 DREB genes were divided into six subgroups (A1-A6) by using MEGA 7.0. The identified DREB genes were distributed unevenly across 13/26 chromosomes of A and/or D genomes. Synteny and collinearity analysis confirmed that during the evolution, the whole genome duplications, segmental duplications, and/or tandem duplications occurred in cotton DREB genes, and then DREB gene family was further expanded. Further, the evolutionary trees with conserved motifs, cis-acting elements, and gene structure of cotton DREB gene family were predicted, and these results suggested that DREB genes might be involved in the hormone and abiotic stresses responses. The subcellular localization showed that in four cotton species, DREB proteins were predominantly located in the nucleus. Further, the analysis of DREB gene expression was carried out by real-time quantitative PCR, confirming that the identified DREB genes of cotton were involved in response to early salinity and osmotic stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our results presented a comprehensive and systematic understanding in the evolution of cotton DREB genes, and demonstrated the potential roles of DREB family genes in stress and hormone response.

Genome-Wide Identification of the ERF Transcription Factor Family for Structure Analysis, Expression Pattern, and Response to Drought Stress in Populus alba × Populus glandulosa

The Ethylene Responsive Factor (ERF) transcription factor family is important for regulating plant growth and stress responses. Although the expression patterns of ERF family members have been reported in many plant species, their role in Populus alba × Populus glandulosa, an important model plant for forest research, remains unclear. In this study, we identified 209 PagERF transcription factors by analyzing the P. alba × P. glandulosa genome. We analyzed their amino acid sequences, molecular weight, theoretical pI (Isoelectric point), instability index, aliphatic index, grand average of hydropathicity, and subcellular localization. Most PagERFs were predicted to localize in the nucleus, with only a few PagERFs localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Phylogenetic analysis divided the PagERF proteins into ten groups, Class I to X, with those belonging to the same group containing similar motifs. Cis-acting elements associated with plant hormones, abiotic stress responses, and MYB binding sites were analyzed in the promoters of PagERF genes. We used transcriptome data to analyze the expression patterns of PagERF genes in different tissues of P. alba × P. glandulosa, including axillary buds, young leaves, functional leaves, cambium, xylem, and roots, and the results indicated that PagERF genes are expressed in all tissues of P. alba × P. glandulosa, especially in roots. Quantitative verification results were consistent with transcriptome data. When P. alba × P. glandulosa seedlings were treated with 6% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000), the results of RT-qRCR showed that nine PagERF genes responded to drought stress in various tissues. This study provides a new perspective on the roles of PagERF family members in regulating plant growth and development, and responses to stress in P. alba × P. glandulosa. Our study provides a theoretical basis for ERF family research in the future.