AhIRX7, a novel glycosyltransferases (GTs) gene, confers salt and drought tolerance in transgenic peanut.
TL;DR
It is indicated that AhIRX7 gene functions in enhancing drought and salt stresses in peanuts and Arabidopsis, which may serve as a candidate gene for use in improving abiotic stress resistance in crops.
Abstract
Background
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oilseed crop whose yield is threatened by various abiotic stresses. Glycosyltransferases are crucial for diverse plant functions, including the regulation of plant growth and development, biotic and abiotic stress response, and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. However, the mechanism of glycosyltransferases relates to abiotic stresses remains unclear in peanut.
Results
In this study, we isolated a novel gene, AhIRX7, from a salt-tolerant mutant of peanut. The expression of AhIRX7 was strongly induced by NaCl and PEG6000. Overexpression of AhIRX7 led to increased, whereas silenced of AhIRX7 resulted in decreased tolerance of peanut seedlings to salt and drought stresses. Compared to wild-type (WT), the overexpression lines showed significantly increased chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and reduced photodamage under salt and drought stress. Their activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) were markedly enhanced, while the accumulation of superoxide anion (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly reduced. In contrast, AhIRX7-silenced lines exhibited opposite trends in SOD, POD, and CAT activities, as well as MDA accumulation. Consequently, overexpression of AhIRX7 improved the regulation of photosynthesis, the dynamics of stomatal opening and closing under salt and drought stress in Arabidopsis plants.
Conclusions
Overall, this study indicated that AhIRX7 gene functions in enhancing drought and salt stresses in peanuts and Arabidopsis, which may serve as a candidate gene for use in improving abiotic stress resistance in crops.