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SlZAT5 and SlJIG Regulate Drought Tolerance in Tomato by Modulating ABA Homoeostasis
Yafei Li1,2, Yiran Wang1, Chonghua Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilisation of Agricultural Water Resources, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Plant, Cell & Environment
|August 5, 2026
Summary
This study reveals how SlZAT5 and SlJIG proteins regulate drought tolerance in tomatoes by controlling abscisic acid (ABA) levels. Enhancing these proteins boosts plant resilience to water deficiency.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Vegetable cultivation depends on water; drought limits growth and yield.
- Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key phytohormone mediating drought tolerance via stomatal closure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of SlZAT5 and SlJIG in tomato drought response.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism of ABA homeostasis regulation by these factors.
Main Methods:
- Drought treatment and gene expression analysis.
- Immunoprecipitation-Mass Spectrometry (IP-MS) for protein interaction.
- Promoter binding assays and gene expression analysis of SlCYP707A3.
- Gene overexpression and knockout studies in tomato.
Main Results:
- Drought upregulated SlZAT5 and SlJIG, increasing ABA and tolerance.
- SlZAT5 and SlJIG interact and bind to the SlCYP707A3 promoter.
- SlZAT5 mediates transcriptional repression of SlCYP707A3, enhanced by SlJIG.
- Overexpression improved drought tolerance; knockout reduced it, with double mutants showing greater sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- The SlZAT5-SlJIG module is crucial for regulating tomato drought responses.
- This module controls drought tolerance by maintaining ABA homeostasis through SlCYP707A3 regulation.
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