CDFs are a class of plant-specific transcription factors. The N-terminal region of CDF proteins contains a C2-C2 zinc finger domain composed of a conserved 51-residue structure. Three conserved sequences at their C-terminal end contribute to functional diversity. Studies have demonstrated that CDF genes exhibit circadian rhythm regulation, with expression modulated by photoperiod, and play critical roles in multiple plant growth and developmental processes as well as stress response mechanisms. This review summarizes the structural characteristics of CDF transcription factors and their functions in flowering, growth development, carbon-nitrogen metabolism, and abiotic stress responses.

Qiying Liu, Changhao Li, Gege Meng, Jizhong Wang, Cong Jin. Review of Research Advances in CDF Transcription Factor. Academic Journal of Agriculture & Life Sciences (2026), Vol. 7, Issue 1: 22-26. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJALS.2026.070104.

[1] Lindemose S, O’Shea C, Jensen MK, et al. Structure, function and networks of transcription factors involved in abiotic stress responses [J]. International journal of molecular sciences, 2013, 14(3): 5842-5878.

[2] Bai Xingxuan, Yan Xue, Yao Yuchen, et al. Roles and Research Progress of DREB-CBF Transcription Factors in Plant Biotic Stresses[J]. Journal of Biology, 2017, 34(4): 88-93.

[3] Chen Keqi, Deng Xingguang, Lin Honghui. Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Responses to Abiotic Stresses[J]. Journal of Biology, 2021, 38(6): 1-8.

[4] Imaizumi T, Schultz TF, Harmon FG, et al. FKF1F-BOX protein mediates cyclic degradation of a repressor of CONSTANS in Arabidopsis [J]. Science, 2005, 309(5732): 293-297.

[5] Corrales AR , Carrillo L , Lasierra P , et al. Multifaceted role of cycling DOF factor 3 (CDF3) in the regulation of flowering time and abiotic stress responses in Arabidopsis [J]. Plant Cell & Environment, 2017, 40(5): 748-764.

[6] Yanagisawa S, Schmidt RJ. Diversity and similarity among recognition sequences of Dof transcription factors [J]. Plant Journal, 1999, 17(2): 209-214.

[7] Yanagisawa S. Dof domain proteins: plant-specific transcription factors associated with diverse phenomena unique to plants [J]. Plant and Cell Physiology, 2004, 45(4): 386-391.

[8] Kim HS, Kim SJ, Abbasi N, et al. The DOF transcription factor Dof5.1 influences leaf axial patterning by promoting revoluta transcription in Arabidopsis [J]. Plant Journal, 2010, 64(3): 524-535.

[9] Wei PC, Tan F, Gao XQ, et al. Overexpression of AtDOF4.7, an Arabidopsis DOF family transcription factor, induces floral organ abscission deficiency in Arabidopsis [J]. Plant Physiology, 2010, 153(3): 1031-1045.

[10] Yanagisawa S. A novel dna-binding domain that may form a single zinc-finger motif [J]. Nucleic Acids Research, 1995, 23 (17): 3403-3410.

[11] Sawa M, Nusinow DA, Kay SA, et al. FKF1 and GIGANTEA complex formation is required for day-length measurement in Arabidopsis [J]. Science, 2007, 318(5848): 261-265.

[12] Hernando-Amado S, Gonzalez-Calle V, Carbonero P, et al. The family of DOF transcription factors in Brachypodium distachyon: phylogenetic comparison with rice and barley DOFs and expression profiling [J]. BMC Plant Biology, 2012, 12(1) :202.

[13] Yang J, Yang MF, Zhang WP, et al. A putative flowering-time -related Dof transcription factor gene, JcDof3, is controlled by the circadian clock in Jatropha curcas [J]. Plant Science, 2011, 181(6): 667-674.

[14] Kloosterman B, Abelenda JA, Gomez MDC, et al. Naturally occurring allele diversity allows potato cultivation in northern latitudes [J]. Nature, 2013, 495(7440): 246-250.

[15] Corrales AR, Nebauer SG, Carrillo L, et al. Characterization of tomato cycling dof factors reveals conserved and new functions in the control of flowering time [J]. J Exp Bot, 2014, 65(4): 995-1012.

[16] Fornara F, Panigrahi KCS, Gissot L, et al. Arabidopsis DOF transcription factors act redundantly to reduce CONSTANS expression and are essential for a photoperiodic flowering response [J]. Dev Cell, 2009, 17(1): 75-86. 

[17] Renau-Morata B, Molina RV, Carrillo L, et al. Ectopic expression of CDF3 genes in tomato enhances biomass production and yield under salinity stress conditions [J]. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017, 8: 660. 

[18] Cai Xiaofeng, Zhang Yuyang, Zhang Junhong, et al. Research Progress on the Functions of the Plant Dof Gene Family[J]. Plant Physiology Journal, 2013, 49(1): 1-12.

[19] Imaizumi T, Schultz TF, Harmon FG, et al. FKF1 F-box protein mediates cyclic degradation of a repressor of CONSTANS in Arabidopsis [J]. Science, 2005, 309(5732): 293-297.

[20] Song YH, Smith RW, To BJ, et al. FKF1 conveys timing information for CONSTANS stabilization in photoperiodic flowering [J]. Science, 2012, 336(6084): 1045-1049.

[21] Kinet JM. Effect of light conditions on the development of the inflorescence in tomato [J]. Scientia Horticulturae, 1977, 6(1): 15-26.

[22] Uzun S. The quantitative effects of temperature and light on the number of leaves preceding the first fruiting inflorescence on the stem of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.) and aubergine (Solanum melongena L.) [J]. Scientia Horticulturae, 2006, 109 (2): 142-146. 

[23] Dieleman JA, Heuvelink E. Factors affecting the number of leaves preceding the 1st inflorescence in the tomato [J]. Journal of Horticultural Science, 1992, 67(1): 1-10.

[24] Iwamoto M, Higo K, Takano M. Circadian clock-and phytochrome-regulated Dof-like gene, Rdd1, is associated with grain size in rice [J]. Plant Cell Environ, 2009, 32(5): 592-603. 

[25] Li DJ, Yang CH, Li XB, et al. Functional characterization of rice OsDof12 [J]. Planta, 2009, 229(6): 1159-1169.

[26] Wu Q, Liu X, Yin D, et al. Constitutive expression of OsDof4, encoding a C2-C2 zinc finger transcription factor, confesses its distinct flowering effects under long-and short-day photoperiods in rice (Oryza sativa L.) [J]. Bmc Plant Biology, 2017, 17(1): 166.

[27] Zhang X, Yin YJ, Fan B, et al. Research progress on structural characteristics and functions of plant Dof transcription factors[J]. Crops, 2016(2): 14-20.

[28] Ding J, Böhlenius H, Rühl MG, et al. GIGANTEA-like genes control seasonal growth cessation in Populus [J]. New Phytologist, 2018, 218(4): 1491-1503.

[29] Liu XY, Liu Z, Hao ZW, et al. Characterization of Dof family in Pyrus Bretschneideri and role of PbDof9.2 in flowering time regulation [J]. Genomics, 2020, 112(1): 712-720.

[30] Xu J, and Dai H. Brassica napus Cycling Dof Factor1 (BnCDF1) is involved in flowering time and freezing tolerance[J]. Plant Growth Regul. 2016, 80(3) 315-322. 

[31] Zhang LL, Jiang A, Thomson G, et al. Overexpression of medicago MtCDFd1-1 causes delayed flowering in medicago via repression of MtFTa1 but not MtCO-Like genes[J]. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2019, 10:1148.

[32] Pi L, Aichinger E, Van Der Graaff E, et al. Organizer-Derived WOX5 Signal Maintains Root Columella Stem Cells through Chromatin-Mediated Repression of CDF4 Expression. [J]. Developmental Cell, 2015, 33(5): 576-588.

[33] Martín G, Veciana N, Boix M, et al. The photoperiodic response of hypocotyl elongation involves regulation of CDF1 and CDF5 activity. Physiol. Plant 2020, 169(3): 480-490.

[34] Gao H, Song W, Severing E, et al. PIF4 enhances DNA binding of CDF2 to co-regulate target gene expression and promote Arabidopsis hypocotyl cell elongation. Nat Plants. 2022, 8(9): 1082-1093. 

[35] Liu Z, Wang J, Zhou Y, et al. Identification of novel regulators required for early development of vein pattern in the cotyledons by single-cell RNA-sequencing. Plant J. 2022, 110(1): 7-22.

[36] Wu Q, Li DY, Li DJ, et al. Overexpression of OsDof12 affects plant architecture in rice (Oryza sativa L.) [J]. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2015, 6: 833.

[37] Hannapel DJ, Sharma P, Lin T, et al. The Multiple Signals That Control Tuber Formation [J]. Plant Physiology, 2017, 174(2): 845.