AhDTF1, a novel R2R3-MYB transcription factor, involves in drought tolerance and seed color

Background Peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.), a major oilseed crop globally, suffers significant yield reduction due to drought stress. Here, we identified a novel R2R3-MYB transcription factor AhDTF1 through phylogenetic analysis, comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of drought responses, and tissue expression pattern. Result AhDTF1 functioned as a nuclear transcriptional activator and positively regulates drought resistance. Transgenic tobacco plants over-expressing AhDTF1 exhibited significantly enhanced drought tolerance, manifested by elevated activities of antioxidant enzymes such as POD, SOD, APX, CAT, and GST, increased soluble protein content, and reduced MDA accumulation compared to WT. Furthermore, AhDTF1 activated the expression of key stress-responsive genes, including APX , CAT , POD , SOD , GST , CAX3 , and OAT . AhDTF1 also regulated seed coat color and root hair development under abiotic stress conditions, Hap3 conferring longer root length. These findings demonstrated that AhDTF1 played a critical role in plant drought stress adaptation by coordinating antioxidant defense mechanisms and osmotic adjustment. Our work highlighted AhDTF1 as a promising candidate for crop improvement, providing a dual-tolerance strategy against drought and associated oxidative stresses through MYB-dependent transcriptional regulation.