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Author Spotlight: Unraveling Plant Responses to Abiotic Stresses Using the PlantScreen Robotic Platform
Published on: June 7, 2024
GhGLDH35A gene-mediated ROS homeostasis and stomatal movement via the ascorbic acid pathway confers alkaline stress
Yapeng Fan1, Ning Wang2, Shuai Wang1
1Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences / Zhengzhou Research Base, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University / National Center of Technology Innovation for Comprehensive Utilization of Saline-Alkali Land, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
Introduction:
Ascorbic acid (AsA) is involved in plant responses to various abiotic stresses. However, its specific function in alkaline stress tolerance remains poorly understood. The L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GLDH) gene is crucial for AsA synthesis, yet the precise role of GLDH in modulating plant resistance to alkaline stress has not been comprehensively characterized.
Objectives:
To investigate the role of GLDH genes in enhancing tolerance to alkaline stress.
Methods:
Bioinformatics analysis of the GLDH gene family members was conducted, and an evolutionary tree was constructed using MEGA software. Cis-acting elements and gene structures were analyzed using TBtools. Gene expression levels were quantified by qRT-PCR, while the function of the GhGLDH35A gene was validated through VIGS (Virus-induced gene silencing) in cotton, heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana, and complementation assays in yeast.
Results:
Our study investigated the effects of salt-alkaline stress on cotton and found that alkaline stress caused significantly more severe damage than salt stress. The GLDH family genes were identified and analyzed, revealing a high degree of evolutionary conservation. Most GhGLDH genes exhibited a positive response to alkaline stress and were regulated by light. Among them, GhGLDH35A, which is highly expressed within the GLDH family, was found to play a key role in conferring tolerance to alkaline stress. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that GhGLDH35A is localized in the mitochondria. Silencing of GhGLDH35A in cotton resulted in reduced tolerance to alkaline stress, disruption of ROS homeostasis, and impairment of photosynthesis and stomatal function. Conversely, overexpression of GhGLDH35A in Arabidopsis enhanced alkaline stress resistance by elevating AsA levels, increasing antioxidant enzyme activities to enhance ROS scavenging, sustaining photosynthesis, and promoting stomatal closure. Furthermore, heterologous expression of GhGLDH35A in yeast also improved its tolerance to alkaline stress.
Conclusions:
GhGLDH35A positively regulates alkaline stress tolerance by enhancing antioxidant defenses and regulating stomatal movement.
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