The ethylene responsive transcription factors(ERFs)belonging to the AP2/ERF family have diverse functions in plants.We previously reported a light-regulated LeERF-1 gene possibly regulating the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in Lithospermum erythrorhizon.In this study,by cloning the promoter of LeERF-1,we found that the promoter regioncontains a number of potential regulatory motifs related todrought and pathogen resistances.Further transgenic studies showed that the heterologous overexpression of LeERF-1 inArabidopsis displayed healthy phenotype,a higher survival ratio,lower root inhibition rate,slower water loss in leaf discs and smaller stomatal apertures under drought stress; fewer chlorotic symptoms,lower incidence rates and lower levels of bacterial proliferation on leaves after inoculation of bacterial pathogen,compared with wild type Arabidopsis.