A novel Cys2/His2 zinc finger protein gene from sweetpotato, IbZFP1, is involved in salt and drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis

Abstract

IbZFP1, encoding a Cys 2/His 2 zinc finger protein gene from sweetpotato, enhances salt and drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis by regulating ABA signaling pathway, proline biosynthesis, stress responses and ROS scavenging. In plants, Cys2/His2 zinc finger proteins play important roles in regulating the growth and development or responses to abiotic stresses. In this study, a novel Cys2/His2 zinc finger protein gene, named IbZFP1, was isolated from drought-tolerant sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] line Xu55-2. Subcellular localization analysis in onion epidermal cells indicated that IbZFP1 was localized to the nucleus. Expression analysis in yeast showed that the full length of IbZFP1 exhibited transcriptional activation. Expression of IbZFP1 was induced by NaCl, polyethylene glycol and abscisic acid (ABA). Overexpression of IbZFP1 significantly enhanced salt and drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that overexpression of IbZFP1 up-regulated the genes involved in ABA signaling pathway, proline biosynthesis, stress responses, and ROS scavenging under salt and drought stresses. Meanwhile, Western blot and enzymatic analyses showed that the activities of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase were also increased. Further component analyses indicated that the significant increase of ABA, proline, soluble sugar and total chlorophyll content and the significant reduction of H2O2 and malonaldehyde content were observed under salt and drought stresses. In addition, the rates of electrolyte leakage and water loss were reduced in transgenic plants. The overall results demonstrate the explicit role of IbZFP1 in conferring salt and drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. The IbZFP1 gene has the potential to be used to enhance the tolerance to abiotic stresses in plants.

A novel transcription factor-like gene SbSDR1 acts as a molecular switch and confers salt and osmotic endurance to transgenic tobacco

“…The overexpression of a novel Zmhdz10 in rice and Arabidopsis led to a significantly improved tolerance to oxidative stress caused by drought and salt stresses17. Similarly, the IbZFP1 gene of sweet potato, which encodes a novel Cys2/His2 zinc finger protein, regulates ABA signalling, proline biosynthesis and ROS scavenging, and thus, improves salt and drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis 18.…”

An Arabidopsis Zinc Finger Protein Increases Abiotic Stress Tolerance by Regulating Sodium and Potassium Homeostasis, Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging and Osmotic Potential

“…Some ZFPs mediate stress tolerance to adjust osmotic potential (Luo et al, 2012a; Wang et al, 2016). In the present study, the transcription of AtRZFP correlated positively with soluble sugars and proline levels, suggesting that AtRZFP might modulate the biosynthesis of soluble sugars and proline positively ( Figure 8 ).…”

“…In addition to ROS pathways, other physiological adaptations to abiotic stress tolerance mediated by ZFPs have been studied. ZFPs can confer abiotic stress tolerance by increasing the contents of abscisic acid (ABA), proline, soluble sugars or chlorophyll, and reducing the water loss rate (Luo et al, 2012b; Wang et al, 2016). ZFPs are also involved in gibberellins (GA) signaling in the regulation of the stress response.…”

Identification and Analysis of NaHCO3 Stress Responsive Genes in Wild Soybean (Glycine soja) Roots by RNA-seq

“…C2H2 zinc finger proteins are important components in regulation of plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses (Kielbowicz-Matuk, 2012). Over-expression of a zinc finger protein gene IbZFP1 from sweet potato increased salt and drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis (Wang F. et al, 2015). …”