| Abstract Detail
Functional Genetics/Genomics Ullah, Abid [1], Xiyan, Yang [2]. A novel cotton WRKY-gene, GhWRKY6-like, improves salt tolerance by activating the ABA signalling pathway and scavenging of reactive oxygen species. WRKY transcription factors are transcriptional regulators of signalling pathways involved in biotic and abiotic stress responses. In this study, we report that ectopic expression of the GhWRKY6-like gene significantly improved salt tolerance in Arabidopsis while silencing the GhWRKY6-like increase the sensitivity to abiotic stresses in cotton. GhWRKY6-like was localized to the nucleus. Expression of GhWRKY6-like was remarkably induced by salt, ethylene glycol (PEG) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments. For further characterization, the GhWRKY6-like gene was cloned and transformed into Arabidopsis. Our findings showed that the germination rate and root length were significantly improved in overexpressing GhWRKY6-like plants versus wild type (WT) under salt, mannitol and ABA treatments. Additionally, the overexpressing lines showed greater salt tolerance than WT plants in soil. In addition, overexpressing plants accumulated less H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA), while higher proline content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were detected under salt and osmotic stresses. In contrast, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of GhWRKY6-like in cotton showed enhanced sensitivity compared to WT plants during salt and drought stresses. Additionally, expression analysis of stress responsive genes in GhWRKY6-like Arabidopsis revealed that there was increased expression of genes involved in the ABA signalling pathway (AtABF4, AtABI5, AtMYC2) and osmotic stress (AtSOS2, AtRD29a, AtRD29b). Our results revealed that GhWRKY6-like enhanced salt tolerance in Arabidopsis by scavenging reactive oxygen species and regulating the ABA signalling pathway. We suggest that overexpression of the GhWRKY6-like gene in cotton will enhance tolerance against salt, drought and osmotic stresses.
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1 - University of Malakand, Department of Botany, Chakdara, Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Chakdara, Dir Lower, KPK, 18550, PK
2 - Huazhong Agricultural University, Plant Science and Technology, No.1 Shizishan street, Hongshan district, Wuhan, Wuhan, 430070, PRC
Keywords:
osmotic stress
WRKY
Abscisic acid
Reactive oxygen species.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: FG1, Functional Genetics and Genomics
Location: San Luis 1/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 2:00 PM
Number: FG1001
Abstract ID:107
Candidate for Awards:Margaret Menzel Award |
