The VaATG6-VaBI-1 module coordinates ER-associated autophagy and ROS homeostasis for cold tolerance in grapevine
Qiaoling Zheng1, Fang Ma2, Chang Liu1
1School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, Ningxia, China.
Molecular Horticulture
|March 10, 2026
Summary
Cold stress harms grapevine productivity. Scientists found VaATG6 and VaBI-1 regulate autophagy and reduce oxidative damage, enhancing cold tolerance in grapevines through genetic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Stress Physiology
Background:
- Cold stress significantly limits perennial crop productivity, including grapevines (Vitis spp.), by disrupting cellular balance and causing oxidative damage.
- Autophagy is a crucial cellular process for stress adaptation, but its specific role in grapevine cold response remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key molecular regulators of the cold stress response in Vitis amurensis.
- To elucidate the functional interaction between autophagy regulators and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress modulators under cold conditions.
- To evaluate the potential of VaATG6 as a target for enhancing cold tolerance in grapevines.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptional analysis of VaATG6 under cold stress.
- Subcellular localization studies of VaATG6 using microscopy.
- Assessment of autophagic flux and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.
- Genetic manipulation of VaATG6 in Vitis species (V. amurensis and V. vinifera) to study its function.
- Analysis of VaATG6-VaBI-1 interaction under cold stress.
Main Results:
- Cold exposure rapidly induced VaATG6 expression and its translocation to the ER and autophagosomes, enhancing autophagy and reducing ROS accumulation.
- VaATG6 interacts with VaBI-1, an ER-localized protein, with the interaction strengthening under cold stress, integrating autophagy and ER homeostasis.
- Overexpression of VaATG6 in cold-sensitive V. vinifera improved cold tolerance by boosting antioxidant defenses and soluble sugar accumulation.
- Loss-of-function mutations in VaATG6 impaired autophagy, increased ROS, and reduced cold tolerance.
Conclusions:
- The VaATG6-VaBI-1 module is a core mechanism for cold-induced autophagy and adaptation to oxidative stress in grapevines.
- VaATG6 plays a critical role in mediating cellular responses to cold stress by regulating autophagic flux and ROS homeostasis.
- Targeting VaATG6 for overexpression presents a promising genetic strategy to enhance cold tolerance in perennial crops like grapevine.
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