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Published on: November 20, 2018
Functional Characterization and Potential Regulatory Role of MdWRKY31 in Cold Tolerance
Yonghui Liang1,2, Guishuang Wang1, Xiaomeng Yang1
1The Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (Northeast Region), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Development and Utilization of Small Fruits in Cold Regions, College of Horticulture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Identifying cold-resistance genes is crucial for apples. The MdWRKY31 gene enhances cold tolerance in plants by regulating antioxidant defenses and osmotic balance, offering potential for breeding cold-resistant apple varieties.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Genetics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cold stress significantly limits apple growth and productivity.
- Identifying genes for cold resistance is essential for improving apple cultivation.
- The MdWRKY31 gene was investigated for its role in cold tolerance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone and characterize the MdWRKY31 gene from apple.
- To investigate the expression pattern and biological function of MdWRKY31 under low-temperature stress.
- To explore the potential of MdWRKY31 in enhancing plant cold tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of MdWRKY31 sequence characteristics.
- Gene expression analysis under low-temperature stress.
- Heterologous overexpression of MdWRKY31 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).
- Measurement of reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzyme activities, proline, soluble protein, and malondialdehyde levels.
- Analysis of CBF and ABA signaling-related gene expression.
- Molecular docking to assess protein-DNA interactions.
Main Results:
- MdWRKY31 belongs to group II WRKY transcription factors and is localized in the nucleus.
- MdWRKY31 expression is upregulated under low-temperature stress.
- Transgenic tomato plants overexpressing MdWRKY31 showed enhanced cold tolerance, with reduced reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities, proline, and soluble protein content.
- Expression of CBF pathway genes (SlCBF1, SlCBF2, SlCBF3, SlICE1) and ABA signaling genes (SlNCED1, SlABI5) was elevated in transgenic plants.
- MdWRKY31 demonstrated strong binding affinity to W-box elements in the promoters of SlCBF1, suggesting direct transcriptional regulation.
Conclusions:
- MdWRKY31 enhances plant cold tolerance through CBF-dependent pathways.
- The gene modulates antioxidant defenses and osmotic balance to improve stress resistance.
- MdWRKY31 represents a valuable genetic resource for breeding cold-resistant apple varieties.
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