The AP2/EREBP family of transcription factors is unique to plants and is characterized by the presence of the AP2 DNA-binding domain. This large multigene family plays crucial roles throughout the plant life cycle, including developmental processes and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The AP2 subfamily, which contains proteins with two AP2 domains, is involved in floral organ identity determination, leaf epidermal cell identity specification, and ovule and seed development. In contrast, the EREBP subfamily, which contains proteins with one AP2 domain, is involved in responses to ethylene and abiotic stresses. The AP2/EREBP family is highly conserved, with many members found in different plant species. The functional diversity of these proteins is reflected in their different intron/exon structures and DNA-binding specificities. The AP2/EREBP family is expected to be further explored through the Arabidopsis genome sequence project, which will facilitate the identification and characterization of mutants for all AP2/EREBP genes. Understanding the functional specificity of these proteins will require further investigation into their DNA-binding properties, protein-protein interactions, and post-transcriptional regulation.The AP2/EREBP family of transcription factors is unique to plants and is characterized by the presence of the AP2 DNA-binding domain. This large multigene family plays crucial roles throughout the plant life cycle, including developmental processes and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The AP2 subfamily, which contains proteins with two AP2 domains, is involved in floral organ identity determination, leaf epidermal cell identity specification, and ovule and seed development. In contrast, the EREBP subfamily, which contains proteins with one AP2 domain, is involved in responses to ethylene and abiotic stresses. The AP2/EREBP family is highly conserved, with many members found in different plant species. The functional diversity of these proteins is reflected in their different intron/exon structures and DNA-binding specificities. The AP2/EREBP family is expected to be further explored through the Arabidopsis genome sequence project, which will facilitate the identification and characterization of mutants for all AP2/EREBP genes. Understanding the functional specificity of these proteins will require further investigation into their DNA-binding properties, protein-protein interactions, and post-transcriptional regulation.