Cold-responsive protein 78 (Raphanus sativus) (RsCOR78)

RsCOR78 is a cold-responsive (COR) protein identified in Raphanus sativus (radish), functioning as a critical component of the plant's adaptive response to environmental stressors such as freezing, drought, and high salinity [1, 5, 6]. It is the radish ortholog of the Arabidopsis thaliana protein RD29A (Responsive to Desiccation 29A), also known as LTI78 (Low Temperature Induced 78) [3, 10, 11]. The protein is highly hydrophilic and belongs to the late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) family, serving as a cryoprotectant or molecular chaperone that stabilizes cellular membranes and metabolic enzymes against dehydration-induced damage [4, 11, 15]. Expression of the RsCOR78 gene is highly inducible by environmental stress and is directly regulated by transcription factors such as RsERF40 and RsMYB90, which bind to cis-acting elements like the C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element (CRT/DRE) in its promoter [2, 5, 12]. In radish specifically, the activation of the RsCOR78 pathway is essential for maintaining the biomass and secondary growth of the taproot under low-temperature conditions [5, 6]. While RsCOR78 has no known human therapeutic applications or associated drugs, it is a primary target in agricultural biotechnology for the genetic enhancement of crop resilience and stress tolerance in root vegetables [4, 16].

Other names

COR78RD29ALTI78Responsive to desiccation protein 29ALow-temperature-induced protein 78