A C2H2 ZINC FINGER PROTEIN GhZFP8 FROM COTTON (GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM) IS INVOLVED IN SALT STRESS TOLERANCE IN ARABIDOPSIS

C2H2-type zinc finger proteins (ZFP) function in many biological processes. In this study, GhZFP8 encoding a C2H2 ZFP was cloned from cotton. Results of qPCR indicated that the transcripts of GhZFP8 were detected in the leaves and fibers of 3, 6, and 30 days post anthesis, but not in the roots, stems, and flowers. The transcriptional level of GhZFP8 was regulated by cold, salt, PEG, and ABA. Sub-cellular localization analysis showed that GhZFP8 was distributed in the nucleus of tobacco leaves. GhZFP8 transgenic Arabidopsis exhibited improved tolerance to high salinity but less sensitivity to ABA. Meanwhile, overexpression of GhZFP8 elevated the rate of water loss in leaves compared to that in wild types. All results suggested that GhZFP8 may function in the response of Arabidopsis to salt and ABA in cotton.