VvERF105 enhances drought resistance in grape through interaction with VvSnRK1
Xiaoyue Cui1, Yusui Lou1, Ke Zhang1
1Institute of Horticultural Research, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, China.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|July 24, 2026
Summary
Grapevine ERF105 (Ethylene-responsive factor 105) positively regulates drought stress tolerance. Disrupting this gene reduces drought resistance, highlighting its importance for breeding resilient grape cultivars.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Drought stress significantly impacts grape yield and growth.
- The ERF105 gene is known to be involved in plant stress responses, but its role in grapevine drought tolerance is underexplored.
- Understanding ERF105 function is crucial for developing drought-resistant grape varieties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of the VvERF105 gene in grapevine response to drought stress.
- To identify interacting proteins and understand the molecular mechanism of VvERF105 in drought tolerance.
- To provide genetic resources for breeding drought-resistant grapevines.
Main Methods:
- Cloning and sequence analysis of VvERF105 from drought-resistant grapevines.
- Gene editing of VvERF105 in grape calli and subsequent drought stress assays.
- Analysis of physiological parameters, stomatal aperture, antioxidant activities, and gene expression.
- Protein-protein interaction studies using yeast two-hybrid, BiFC, and Co-IP assays.
Main Results:
- VvERF105 is a nuclear-localized, stress-responsive gene involved in drought, cold, and heat tolerance.
- Mutant VvERF105 grapevines showed reduced drought resistance, with smaller stomatal apertures and altered physiological parameters.
- VvERF105 interacts with VvSnRK1 in a phosphorylation-independent manner, mediating drought stress signaling.
Conclusions:
- VvERF105 acts as a positive regulator of grapevine drought stress response.
- Disruption of VvERF105 compromises drought resistance in grapevines.
- The interaction between VvERF105 and VvSnRK1 is key to mediating drought stress signaling, offering targets for breeding improved grape varieties.
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