Ectopic overexpression of AtHDG11 in tall fescue resulted in enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stress

Abstract

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is a cool-season perennial grass, which has been conventionally grown in the temperate area. However, as a major type of cool-season turf grass, its growth has been extended to the sub-tropical climate or even to the transitional climate between the sub-tropical and the tropical, and, in some cases, to heavily salinized lands. The extended growth imposes a serious challenge to its tolerance to the abiotic stress, particularly to drought, salt and high temperature. Here, we report a successful introduction of Arabidopsis AtHDG11 into the tall fescue via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The ectopic overexpression of AtHDG11 under the control of CaMV 35S promoter with four enhancers resulted in significantly enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stress. No obvious adverse effects on growth and development were observed in the transgenic plants. The enhanced stress tolerance was associated with a more extensive root system, a lower level of malondialdehyde, a nearly normal Na(+)/K(+) ratio, a higher level of proline and a kinetically accelerated induction of SOD and CAT activities observed in the transgenic plants during drought and/or salt stress, indicating that an enhanced ROS scavenging capability might play a significant role in the acquired tolerance to the abiotic stress.

A Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase from Jatropha curcas enhances salt tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana

“…The mixture was placed in boiling water bath for 30 min and then quickly cooled in an ice bath. After centrifugation at 13,000 g for 10 min, the absorbance of the supernatant was ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 14 (1): 2086-2098 (2015) determined at 532 and 600 nm by atomic emission spectrophotometry (Cao et al, 2009). …”

Overexpression of AtHDG11 enhanced drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

“…HDG11 of Arabidopsis thaliana, a member of HDZip IV TF subfamilies, was validated to confer drought tolerance through increasing expression of numerous genes responsive to drought, including those involved in ABA synthesis pathway (NCED3 and LOS5/ABA3) and calcium signaling (CIPK3 and CAX3) (Yu et al 2008;Cao et al 2009). Overexpression of AtHDG11 enhanced root growth and decreased stomatal density in Arabidopsis, tobaccos, sweet potato and poplar (Yu et al 2008;Ruan et al 2011;Yu et al 2015).…”

Plant Biotechnological Approaches for the Production and Commercialization of Transgenic Crops

“…tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) exhibited enhanced tolerance to drought and stress after successful introduction of AtHDG11 gene via Agrobacteriummediated transformation (22). the dramatic role of AtHDG11 in enhancing drought tolerance was identified via activation tagging and subsequent analyses in Arabidopsis and tobacco (123).…”