AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have shown that ABFs (abscisic acid-responsive transcription factors) are important ABA-signaling components that participate in abiotic stress response. However, little is known about the function of ABFs inTriticum aestivum. In addition, although various ABFs have been identified in other species, the phylogenetic relationship between ABF transcription factors has not been systemically investigated in land plants.ResultsIn this study, we systemically collected ABFs from land plants and analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of theseABFgenes. TheABFgenes are present in all the land plants we investigated, including moss, lycophyte, monocots, and eudicots. Furthermore, theseABFgenes are phylogenetically divided into seven subgroups, differentiations that are supported by variation in the gene structure, protein properties, and motif patterns. We further demonstrated that the expression ofABFgenes varies among different tissues and developmental stages, and are induced by one or more environmental stresses. Furthermore, we found that three wheatABFs(TaABF1,TaABF2,andTaABF3) were significantly induced by drought stress. Compared with wild-type (WT) plants, transgenicArabidopsisplants overexpressingTaABF3displayed enhanced drought tolerance.ConclusionsThese results provide important ground work for understanding the phylogenetic relationships between plantABFgenes. Our results also indicate thatTaABFsmay participate in regulating plant response to abiotic stresses.