Encodes a transcription factor that specifically binds to DRE/CRT cis elements (responsive to drought and low-temperature stress). Belongs to the DREB subfamily A-2 of ERF/AP2 transcription factor family (DREB2A). There are eight members in this subfamily including DREB2B. The protein contains one AP2 domain. Overexpression of transcriptional activation domain of DREB2A resulted in significant drought stress tolerance but only slight freezing tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Microarray and RNA gel blot analyses revealed that DREB2A regulates expression of many water stress�inducible genes. The mRNA is cell-to-cell mobile.