Endogenous serotonin induced by cold acclimation increases cold tolerance by reshaping the MEL/ROS/RNS redox network in Kandelia obovata

Cold stress severely limits the distribution of mangrove species worldwide and it remains unclear how mangroves respond and adapt to cold temperatures.In this study,we investigated the effects of cold acclimation and/or inhibition of serotonin levels on reactive oxygen species(ROS),reactive nitrogen species(RNS),melatonin(MEL)and serotonin(SER)accumulation during cold stress in Kandelia obovata.Morphologic observation and param-eter analysis revealed that cold acclimation mitigated the photoinhibition of photosystem I(PSI)and photosystem II(PSII),maintained optimal ROS and RNS redox homeosta-sis,and increased the contents of SER and MEL in leaves.This suggests that cold acclimation reshapes the MEL/ROS/RNS redox network.In particular,the tryptophan/tryptamine/Ser/N-acetylserotonin/MER pathway was identi-fied as a branch of the MEL synthesis pathway.Inhibition of endogenous SER exacerbated damage caused by cold stress,indicating the crosstalk of SER synthesis and cold acclima-tion.In this study,we report a coordinated regulation of cold stress by a complex defense network in K.obovata.

Dynamics of Essential Metal Elements Contents in Winter Oilseed Rape during Cold Acclimation

[Objective]The paper was to investigate the dynamics of essential metal elements（Ca,Mg,Fe,Mn,Zn and Cu）contents in winter oilseed rape（Brassica napus L.）during cold acclimation,and to reveal the effects and mechanisms of essential elements in cold resistance of oilseed rape.[Method]Three varieties with different cold resistance including Zhongshuang No.11（ZS,freezing sensitive variety）,Ganyouza No.1（GY）and Jinyuyou No.1（JYY,freezing tolerant varieties）were used in the study,and the changes of necessary metal elements in these oilseed rapes during cold acclimation were studied.[Result]The concentration of metal elements in oilseed rape had significant changes during cold acclimation,and the difference between varieties was significant.In plant roots,the concentrations of Ca,Mg,Fe,Mn,Zn and Cu were significantly increased,this might because that low temperature made the transpiration decreased,thus blocking the upward transport of elements.In plant shoots,the concentrations of Ca,Mg and Zn were significantly decreased,while the concentrations of Fe and Mn were significantly increased;the change extent of various elements in ZS variety was the largest.[Conclusion]Maintaining the stability of Ca,Mg and Zn concentrations and increasing Fe,Mn and Cu concentrations in plant shoots might be benefit for increasing the cold tolerance of winter oilseed rape.

Role of CaCl_(2) in Cold Acclimation-Induced Freezing Resistance of Populus tomentosa Cuttings

Populus tomentosa cuttings were treated with 1mmol·L -1 , 5mmol·L -1 , 10mmol·L -1 or 15mmol·L -1 of CaCl 2 for 1\|7 d, respectively, for studying the effects of different concentrations of CaCl 2 on freezing resistance. Results indicated that 10?mmol·L -1 of CaCl 2 has greater effect than other concentrations on the enhancement of freezing resistance, and the optimum time of pretreatment was 5?d. In addition, cuttings used for cold acclimation at -3℃ were pretreated with or without 10?mmol·L -1 of CaCl 2, 3?mmol·L -1 of Ca 2+ chelator EGTA, 0 05?mmol·L -1 of CaM antagonist CPZ or 0 1?mmol·L -1 of Ca 2+ channel inhibitor LaCl 3 The changes in CaM and freezing resistance of all cuttings were investigated. The results showed that cold acclimation at -3℃ increased CaM content and decreased the minimum temperature for 100% survival. The CaCl 2 pretreatment enhanced the effect of cold acclimation and obviously increased CaM content and decreased the minimum temperature for 100% survival, but this effect was strongly inhibited by the EGTA, CPZ or LaCl 3 It is concluded that the effect of CaCl 2 on freezing resistance is associated with its concentration and time of pretreatment, Ca 2+ CaM may be involved in the induction of freezing resistance of the cuttings.

Effects of Cold Acclimation and CaCl_2 on Total Soluble Protein, CaM and Freezing Resistance of Populus tomentosa Seedlings

Populus tomentosa seedlings used for cold acclimation at -3℃ were pretreated with or without 10?mmol·L -1 CaCl 2, 3?mmol·L -1 of Ca 2+ chelator EGTA, 0 1?mmol·L -1 of Ca 2+ channel inhibitor LaCl 3,and 0 05?mmol·L -1 of CaM antagonist CPZ. The changes in the contents of total soluble protein and CaM, and freezing resistance in all pretreated seedlings in various periods ( viz: following cold acclimation, chilling stress and recovery) were investigated. Results showed that cold acclimation increased the contents of total soluble protein and CaM, and freezing resistance of seedlings, which could be strongly reduced by the pretreatments of EGTA CPZ and LaCl 3 Cold acclimation combined with CaCl 2 pretreatment enhanced the effect of cold acclimation on freezing resistance, and obviously increased the contents of total soluble protein and CaM, reduced the declining degree of the contents of total soluble protein and CaM caused by chilling stress as compared with cold acclimation, augmented the increase in the level of total soluble protein and CaM during the recovery periods. Further analysis found that an increase in total soluble protein content during cold acclimation with or without CaCl 2 pretreatment mainly resulted from the increase in content of heat stable protein in total soluble protein. It is suggested that Ca 2+ calmodulin may be involved in the synthesis of total soluble protein, and the induction of freezing resistance of seedlings.

Cold Acclimation-Induced Changes in Total Soluble Protein, RNA, DNA, RNase and Freezing Resistance in Populus tomentosa Cuttings

The changes in the contents of total soluble protein and RNA, the activity of RNase in leaves and branches of Populus tomentosa cuttings at various periods (viz: cold acclimation, deacclimation, chilling stress and the recovery after chilling stress), and the survival rate and the freezing resistance of cuttings during cold acclimation at -3℃ were investigated. Results showed that cold acclimation not only increased the contents of total soluble protein and RNA, the survival rates and the freezing resistance of cuttings, decreased the activity of RNase, but also reduced the declining degree of total soluble protein and RNA contents, and the increasing level of RNase caused by chilling stress as compared with the controls. In addition, cold acclimation augmented the increase in the level of total soluble protein and RNA, and facilitated the decrease of RNase during the recovery periods. Further analysis found that the DNA content of all treatments kept relative stability at various periods. The changes in total soluble protein, RNA and RNase were closely related to the freezing resistance of cuttings. It appears that the increase of RNA content caused by cold acclimation induced decrease of RNase activity may be involved in the accumulation of total soluble protein and the induction of freezing resistance of cuttings.

Effects of Cold Acclimation on Several Enzyme Activities in Euonymus radicans ‘Emorald & Gold’and Its Relation to Semi-lethal Temperature

The changes in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and ATPase in the leaves of Euonymus radicans were studied when seedlings were cold-acclimated (at 4 ℃) for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and then treated for 1 d under low temperature stress (at 5 ℃). The semi-lethal temperatures of acclimated and unacclimated seedlings were also investigated. The results indicated that the activities of the three enzymes in the leaves of the seedlings treated at 4 ℃ for 1, 2 and 3 weeks were all higher than those of unacclimated seedings (treated at 22 ℃ as controls). The activities of SOD and POD increased continuously with the prolongation of the time of cold acclimation, but stepped up to summits then down to the levels of the controls. The activities of SOD culminated at the first week, and the activities of POD at the second week. When acclimated and unacclimated seedlings were both treated at 5 ℃ for 1 d, the activities of the three enzymes in the leaves of acclimated seedlings were a little lower than those before stress, but higher than those of the controls. Moreover, the decrease rate of enzyme activities was greatly lower than that of the controls. The results showed that cold acclimation could enhance the stability of the three enzymes in the leaves of seedlings under low temperature stress; the semi-lethal temperature was 19.1 ℃ when the seedlings were treated at 4 ℃ for 3 weeks, but it was 5.4 ℃ when the seedlings were treated at 22 ℃. The decline of the semi-lethal temperature caused by the adaptive changes of enzyme activities was one of the foundations of enhancing the cold tolerance.

Differential Regulatory Mechanisms of CBF Regulon Between Nipponbare (Japonica) and 93-11 (Indica) During Cold Acclimation

Nine CBF/DREB1 homologous genes in rice were obtained by BLAST search in the NCBI database, which share conserved amino acid sequences with DREB1 protein in Arabidopsis. Three CBF genes organized in tandem, named OsCBF1, OsCBF2 and OsCBF3, showed a transient induction in the process of cold acclimation, much stronger in indica rice 93-11 compared with japonica rice Nipponbare. The candidate downstream genes OsLIP5 and OsLIP9 were induced in 93-11 but not in Nipponbare. The differential expression of CBF regulon might be caused by polymorphisms within promoter sequences between these two rice varieties. These results could be useful for utilization of CBF/DREB1 genes and illustration of differences in chilling tolerance between indica and japonica rice varieties.

Ultrastructural and Extracellular Protein Changes in Cell Suspension Cultures of Populus euphratica Associated with Low Temperature-induced Cold Acclimation

Populus euphratica Olive is the only tree species that can grow in the saline land and also survive cold winters in northwest China, and it plays a very important role in stabilizing the vulnerable ecosystem there. A cell suspension culture was initiated from callus derived from plantlets of Populus euphratica. Cold acclimation was induced (LT50 of 17.5 ℃) in cell suspension at 45 ℃ in the dark for 30 days and the freezing tolerance increased from LT50 of 12.5 ℃ in nonacclimated cells to LT50 of 17.5 ℃ in cold-acclimated cells. Microvacuolation, cytoplasmic augmentation and accumulation of starch granules were observed in cells that were cold-acclimated by exposure to low temperatures. Several qualitative and quantitative changes in proteins were noted during cold acclimation. Antibodies to carrot extracellular (apoplastic) 36 kD antifreeze protein did not cross react on immunoelectroblots with extracellular proteins in cell suspension culture medium of Populus euphratica, indicating no common epitopes in the carrot 36 kD antifreeze protein and P. euphratica extracellular proteins. The relationship of these changes to cold acclimation in Populus euphratica cell cultures was discussed.

Cold acclimation induced accumulation of phenolic compounds and freezing tolerance in Ammopiptanthus mongolicus

Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, the only freezing tolerant evergreen broad-leaved shrub, local species of the Alashan desert, northwest sand area of China, can survive -30℃ or even lower temperature in winter. In the present study, the secondary products phenolics in A. mongolicus cotyledons were determined to study the effects of phenolics on cold tolerance. Cytochemical localization of phenolics in cotyledon cells was observed by electron microscopy and the content of phenolic compounds was assayed by spectrophotometric measurement. The results showed that the freezing tolerance ofA. mongolicus seedlings increased after acclimation at 2℃ for 14 days, which accompanied the increase of the content of phenolic compounds in cotyledons. Cytochemical observation showed that phenolic deposits were mainly localized in vacuoles and in close proximity to tonoplast, and also in the cytoplasm. The amount and the size of phenolics droplets increased obviously in cytoplasm and vacuoles after cold acclimation, predominantly aggregated along membranes of vacuoles and tonoplast. No phenolic deposits were found in cell walls. As hydrogen- or elec- tron-donating agents, phenolics may protect plant cells against reactive oxygen species formed during chilling or freezing stress and improve the freezing tolerance of cold-acclimated A. mongolicus seedlings.

Effect of Sugar on the Process of Cold-Acclimation-Induced Freezing Tolerance of Populus tomentosa

Populus tomentosa seedlings for cold-acclimating were pretreated wit h or without 20% saccharose. Changes in the concentrations of total soluble sugar , the survival rates, and freezing tolerance of seedlings during cold acclimatio n were investigated. The results showed that cold acclimation increased the conc entrations of total soluble sugar, the survival rates and freezing tolerance. Co ld acclimation, combined with the saccharose-pretreatment, enhanced the above- ment ioned effect of cold acclimation, and obviously increased the concentrations of total soluble sugar, the survival rates and freezing tolerance of seedlings. Fur ther analysis found that the concentrations of total soluble sugar in branches i ncreased greater than that in leaves during both cold acclimation with or withou t the pretreatment of saccharose. Moreover, an increase of the concentrations of total soluble sugar in branches and leaves was closely related to the freezing tolerance of seedlings. The results indicate the accumulation of soluble sugar i n seedlings induced by cold acclimation may be involved in the induction of free zing tolerance .

Prefoldins Negatively Regulate Cold Acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana by Promoting Nuclear Proteasome-Mediated HY5 Degradation

The process of cold acclimation is an important adaptive response whereby many plants from temperate regions increase their freezing tolerance after being exposed to low non-freezing temperatures. The correct development of this response relies on proper accumulation of a number of transcription factors that regulate expression patterns of cold-responsive genes. Multiple studies have revealed a variety of molecular mechanisms involved in promoting the accumulation of these transcription factors. Interestingly, however, the mechanisms implicated in controlling such accumulation to ensure their adequate levels remain largely unknown. In this work, we demonstrate that prefoldins （PFDs） control the levels of HY5, an Arabidopsis transcription factor with a key role in cold acclimation by activating anthocyanin biosynthesis, in response to low temperature. Our results show that, under cold conditions, PFDs accumulate into the nucleus through a DELLA-dependent mechanism, where they interact with HY5, triggering its ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. The degradation of HY5 would result, in turn, in anthocyanin biosynthesis attenuation, ensuring the accurate development of cold acclimation. These findings uncover an unanticipated nuclear function for PFDs in plant responses to abiotic stresses.

Cold acclimation increases Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) survival during exposure to freezing temperatures

The Asian citrus psyllid,Diaphorina citri,is the vector of the pathogenic bacteria that causes Huanglongbing,the most devasting disease affecting citrus worldwide.As cultivation of citrus tends to expand northward,the tolerance of psyllids to freezing temperatures needs to be investigated.While mortality of D.citri to cold temperature has been previously studied,much less is known regarding the acclimation potential of psyllids to cold temperatures.We first evaluated cold resistance of D.citri depending on color morph and sex.Subsequently,we compared mortality of D.citri at−4°C for 10 hours between unacclimated psyllids,psyllids that were gradually acclimated to cold over 1 or 2 weeks,and psyllids intermittently acclimated also for 1 or 2 weeks.We did not find major differences in cold resistance between color morphs and sex.We found that after 1 week of gradual acclimation,the survival of psyllids at−4°C increased to 86%,compared to 20%in the control group.Survival did not increase after the second week of gradual acclimation.Although intermittent acclimation improved survival compared to the control group,it was less effective than gradual acclimation with a survival at 30%and 70%after 1 and 2 weeks of acclimation,respectively,although this difference with gradual acclimation was not significant at week 2.These data show that gradual cold acclimation allows D.citri to survive brief periods below freezing.It may serve as a mechanism responsible for increasing northern establishment of this pest.

Target deletion of the AAA ATPase PpCDC48II in Physcomitrella patens results in freezing sensitivity after cold acclimation

CDC48 is a highly conserved protein in eukaryotes and belongs to the AAA （ATPase associated with a variety of cellular activities） superfamily. It can interact with many different cofactors and form protein complexes that play important roles in various cellular processes. According to the Physcomitrella patens database, one member of the ATPases, the cell cycle gene PpCDC4811, was cloned. PpCDC48II contains two typical ATPase modules and is highly homologous to AtCDC48A. PpCDC4811 was up-regulated in mRNA levels after incubation at 0~C for 36 and 72 h. To further elucidate protein function, we disrupted the PpCDC4811 gene by transforming P. patens with the corresponding linear genomic sequences. When treated to the same freezing stress, it was found that PpCDC4811 knockout plants were less resistant to freezing treatment than wild type after acclimation. This suggested that PpCDC481I was an essential gene for low-temperature-induced freezing tolerance in P. patens cells.

Effects of cold-hardening on compatible solutes and antioxidant enzyme activities related to freezing tolerance in Ammopiptanthus mongolicus seedlings

Cold acclimation is associated with many metabolic changes that lead to an increase of freezing tolerance. In order to investigate the biochemical process of cold acclimation in Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, seedlings were acclimated at 2℃ under 16-h photoperiod （150 μmol·m^-2·s^-1 photosynthetically active radiation） for 14 d. Freezing tolerance in seedlings increased after 14 d of cold-hardening. Contents of protein, proline and solute carbohydrate in cotyledon increased after cold acclimation. Patterns of isozymes of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, peroxidase, catalase and polyphenol oxidase （PPO） were investigated. The activities of SOD, peroxidase and PPO in cold acclimated plants were increased during cold-hardening. We deduced that compatible solutes and antioxidant enzymes play important roles in development of freezing tolerance during cold acclimation in this evergreen woody plant.

Effect of Putrescine on Low-Temperature Acclimation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Putrescine is reported to be necessary for cold acclimation under low-temperature stress.In this study,the effect of low-temperature on some physiological and biochemical parameters has been investigated using the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.The lipid peroxidation rate,amount of Rubisco protein,activities of antioxidant enzymes and gene expression of polyamine biosynthesis(odc2,and spd1),heat shock proteins(hsp70c,hsp90a,and hsp90c),and PSII repair mechanisms(psba,rep27,and tba1)were determined to understand the low-temperature response.Exogenous putrescine application significantly increased Rubisco protein concentration and catalase enzyme activities under low-temperature stress.Moreover,real-time RT-PCR results and gene expression analysis showed that polyamine metabolism induced gene expression at low-temperatures in the first 24 h.In the same way,the gene expression of heat shock proteins(hsp70c,hsp90a,and hsp90c)decreased under low-temperature treatment for 72 h;however,application of putrescine enhanced the gene expression in the first 24 h.The results obtained indicated that molecular response in the first 24 h could be important for cold acclimation.The psba and tba1 expressions were reduced under low-temperatures depending on the exposure time.In contrast,the exogenous putrescine enhanced the expression level of the psba response to low-temperature at 24 and 72 h.The results obtained in this study indicate that putrescine could play a role in the PS II repair mechanisms under low-temperature stress.

Effects of Low Temperature on Freezing Injury of Various Winter Wheat Cultivars at Different Sowing Time

Freezing injury is one of the major disasters for the production of winter wheat in the North China Plain, which leads to a significant decrease of wheat yield. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of subfreezing temperature on freezing injury of various winter wheat cultivars at different sowing time. Three wheat cultivars, including Zhengmai 9023, Wanmai 48 and Wanmai 50, were sowed on 25 September and 5 October, respectively. Plant anatomy was applied to investi- gate the impact of subfreezing temperature on cells of three wheat cultivars, results showed that severe plasmolysis occurred in wheat sowed earlier suddenly encoun- tered subfreezing temperature without cold acclimation, compared with wheat sowed at proper sowing time. The degree of plasmolysis of different cultivars and tissues of wheat had significant differences and showed positive correlation with subfreezing temperature. Wanmai 50 had the highest cold resistance compared with Zhengmai 9023 and Wanmai 48, and there was no significant difference between Zhengmai 9023 and Wanmai 48. This study concluded that wheat cold resistance may be im- proved by adopting proper cultivars and sowing dates.

The role of temperature as a driver of metabolic flexibility in the Red-billed Leiothrix(Leiothrix lutea)

Background:The thermoregulatory ability of animals is strongly influenced by the temperature of their environment.Acclimation to cold requires a range of physiological and morphological adjustments.In this study,we tested the hypothesis that a small passerine,the Red-billed Leiothrix(Leiothrix lutea),can maintain homeothermy in cold conditions by adjusting the physiology and biochemistry of its tissue and organs and return to its former physiological and biochemical state when moved to a warm temperature.Methods:Phenotypic variation in thermogenic activity of the Red-billed Leiothrixs(Leiothrix lutea)was investigated under warm(35℃),normal(25℃)or cold(15℃)ambient temperature conditions.Oxygen consumption was measured using an open-circuit respirometry system.Mitochondrial state-4 respiration and cytochrome-c oxidase(COX)activity in liver,kidney heart and pectoral muscle were measured with a Clark electrode.Results:Birds acclimated to an ambient temperature of 15℃ for 4 weeks significantly increased their basal metabolic rate(BMR)compared to a control group kept at 25℃.Birds acclimated to 35℃ decreased their BMR,gross energy intake(GEI)and digestible energy intake(DEI).Furthermore,birds acclimated to 15℃ increased state-4 respiration in their pectoral muscles and cytochrome-c oxidase(COX)activity in their liver and pectoral muscle,compared to the 25℃ control group.Birds acclimated to 35℃ also displayed lower state-4 respiration and COX activity in the liver,heart and pectoral muscles,compared to those kept at 25℃.There was a positive correlation between BMR and state-4 respiration,and between BMR and COX activity,in all of the above organs except the liver and heart.Conclusions:Our study illustrates that the morphological,physiological,and enzymatic changes are associated with temperature acclimation in the Red-billed Leiothrix,and supports the notion that the primary means by which small birds meet the energetic challenges of cold conditions is through metabolic adjustments.

Effects of Temperature Acclimation Pretreatment on the Ultrastructure of Mesophyll Cells in Young Grape Plants （Vitis vinifera L. cv. Jingxiu） Under Cross-Temperature Stresses

Leaves from annual young grape plants （Vitis vinifera L. cv. Jingxiu） were used as experimental materials. The ultrastructural characteristics of mesophyll cells in chilling-treated plants after heat acclimation （HA） and in heat-treated plants after cold acclimation （CA） were observed and compared using transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that slight injury appeared in the ultrastructure of mesophyll cells after either HA （38℃ for 10 h） or CA （8℃ for 2.5 d）, but the tolerance to subsequent extreme temperature stress was remarkably improved by HA or CA pretreatment. The increases in membrane permeability and malondialdehyde concentration under chilling （0℃） or heat （45℃） stress were markedly inhibited by HA or CA pretreatment. The mesophyll cells of plants not pretreated with HA were markedly damaged following chilling stress. The chloroplasts appeared irregular in shape, the arrangement of the stroma lamellae was disordered, and no starch granules were present. The cristae of the mitochondria were disrupted and became empty. The nucleus became irregular in shape and the nuclear membrane was digested. In contrast, the mesophyll cells of HA-pretreated plants maintained an intact ultrastructure under chilling stress. The mesophyll cells of control plants were also severely damaged under heat stress. The chloroplast became round in shape, the stroma lamellae became swollen, and the contents of vacuoles formed clumps. In the case of mitochondria of control plants subjected to heat stress, the outer envelope was digested and the cristae were disrupted and became many small vesicles. Compared with cellular organelles in control plants, those in CA plant cells always maintained an integrated state during whole heat stress, except for the chloroplasts, which became round in shape after 10 h heat stress. From these data, we suggest that the stability of mesophyll cells under chilling stress can be increased by HA pretreatment. Similarly, CA pretreatment can protect chloroplasts, mitochondria, and the nucleus against subsequent heat stress; thus, the thermoresistance of grape seedlings was improved. The results obtained in the present study are the first, to our knowledge, to offered cytological evidence of cross-adaptation to temperature stresses in grape plants.

The direct targets of CBFs:In cold stress response and beyond

Cold acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana triggers a significant transcriptional reprogramming altering the expression patterns of thousands of cold-responsive(COR) genes. Essential to this process is the C-repeat binding factor(CBF)-dependent pathway, involving the activity of AP2/ERF(APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor)-type CBF transcription factors required for plant cold acclimation. In this study, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation assays followed by deep sequencing(ChIP-seq) to determine the genomewide binding sites of the CBF transcription factors. Cold-induced CBF proteins specifically bind to the conserved C-repeat(CRT)/dehydrationresponsive elements(CRT/DRE;G/ACCGAC) of their target genes. A Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that 1,012 genes are targeted by all three CBFs. Combined with a transcriptional analysis of the cbf1,2,3 triple mutant, we define 146 CBF regulons as direct CBF targets. In addition, the CBF-target genes are significantly enriched in functions associated with hormone, light,and circadian rhythm signaling, suggesting that the CBFs act as key integrators of endogenous and external environmental cues. Our findings not only define the genome-wide binding patterns of the CBFs during the early cold response, but also provide insights into the role of the CBFs in regulating multiple biological processes of plants.

Isolation and Expression Analysis of Two Cold-Inducible Genes Encoding Putative CBF Transcription Factors from Chinese Cabbage （Brassica pekinensis Rupr）

Two homologous genes of the Arabidopsis C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element binding factors （CBF/ DREB1） transcriptional activator were isolated by RT-PCR from Chinese cabbage （Brassica pekinensis Rupr. cv. Qinbai 5） and were designated as BcCBF1 and BcCBF2. Each encodes a putative CBF/DREB1 protein with an AP2 （Apetal2） DNA-bindlng domain, a putative nuclear localization signal, and a possible acidic activation domain. Deduced amino acid sequences show that BcCBF1 is very similar to the Arabidopsis CBF1, whereas BcCBF2 Is different in that it contains two extra regions of 24 and 20 amino acids in the acidic domain. The mRNA accumulation profiles indicated that the expression of BcCBF1 and BcCBF2 is strongly induced by cold treatment, but does not respond similarly to dehydration or abscisic acid （ABA） treatment. However, the cold-induced accumulation of BcCBF2 mRNA was rapid but short-lived compared with that of BcCBFI. The mRNA levels of both BcCBF1 and BcCBF2 were higher in leaves than in roots when plants were exposed to cold, whereas, salt stress caused higher accumulation of BcCBF2 mRNA in roots than in leaves, suggesting that the organ specificity of the gene expression of the BcCBFs is probably stress dependent. In addition, the accumulation of BcCBF1 and BcCBF2 mRNAs was greatly enhanced by light compared with darkness when seedlings were exposed to cold. It is concluded that the two BcCBF proteins may be involved in the process of plant response to cold stress through an ABA-independent pathway and that there is also a cross-talk between the light signaling conduction pathway and the cold response pathway in B. pekinensis as in Arabidopsis.