AhZEP1, a cDNA Encoding C2H2-Type Zinc Finger Protein, Induced by Salt Stress in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

The plant C₂H₂-type zinc finger proteins play important roles in plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. In this study, we isolated the full-length cDNA of a C₂H₂-type zinc finger protein gene AhZFP1 from peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). AhZFP1 encodes a 24.75kDa protein with two C₂H₂-type zinc finger domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the AhZFP1 was close to Arabidopsis zinc finger protein AZF2. The semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay revealed that the expression of AhZFP1 was induced by salt stress in peanut roots, stems and leaves. AhZFP1 was the first C₂H₂-type zinc finger protein gene reported in peanut.