GhDof1.7, a Dof Transcription Factor, Plays Positive Regulatory Role under Salinity Stress in Upland Cotton

Abstract

Salt stress is a major abiotic stressor that can severely limit plant growth, distribution, and crop yield. DNA-binding with one finger (Dof) is a plant-specific transcription factor that plays a crucial role in plant growth, development, and stress response. In this study, the function of a Dof transcription factor, GhDof1.7, was investigated in upland cotton. The GhDof1.7 gene has a coding sequence length of 759 base pairs, encoding 252 amino acids, and is mainly expressed in roots, stems, leaves, and inflorescences. Salt and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments significantly induced the expression of GhDof1.7. The presence of GhDof1.7 in Arabidopsis may have resulted in potential improvements in salt tolerance, as suggested by a decrease in H2O2 content and an increase in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. The GhDof1.7 protein was found to interact with GhCAR4 (C2-domain ABA-related 4), and the silencing of either GhDof1.7 or GhCAR4 resulted in reduced salt tolerance in cotton plants. These findings demonstrate that GhDof1.7 plays a crucial role in improving the salt tolerance of upland cotton and provide insight into the regulation of abiotic stress response by Dof transcription factors.

CmDOF18 positively regulates salinity tolerance in Chrysanthemum morifolium by activating the oxidoreductase system

“…DOF proteins can respond to salt stress by regulating a variety of pathways, including osmotic substance synthesis, protective enzyme synthesis, Na + excretion, and so on [ 63 , 64 ]. ThDof1.4 could increase the proline level and enhance ROS scavenging capability to improve salt and osmotic stress tolerance in Tamarix hispida [ 48 ].…”

DEAD-Box RNA Helicase Family in Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas L.): Structural Characterization and Response to Salinity

“…Examples include MtDof32 in A. thaliana , which confers enhanced tolerance to osmotic and salt stress [ 64 ], and GhDof1 in cotton, contributing to salinity and cold tolerance [ 65 ]. The overexpression of the cotton GhDof1.7 gene in A. thaliana transgenic plants exhibited increased salinity tolerance, accompanied by reduced ROS accumulation and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes [ 66 ]. These findings underscore the potential of Dof-type TFs to modulate plant responses to abiotic stress.…”

Exploration of GmDof11-lncRNA13082 Module Regulating Oil Synthesis in Plants

“…9,10 Previous research has demonstrated that the Dof protein regulates plant metabolism, root development, gene defense, phytochrome and pigment signals, and nitrogen utilization efficiency. 11,12 During plant growth and development, Dof transcription factors act as key regulators of metabolic pathways, respond to stress, and regulate the recycling and accumulation of nutrients. Zhu et al utilized the "oily green 501" vegetable core to clone and predict the function of the BcDof 3.1 gene.…”

“…The DNA-binding one zinc finger (Dof) protein is a plant-unique TF, as it possesses a highly conserved DNA-binding domain known as the Dof domain . The recognition core for specific binding to the promoter region in a plant gene is the (A/T) AAAG sequence (or reverse complementary sequence CTTTT), which is recognized by the Dof domain. , Previous research has demonstrated that the Dof protein regulates plant metabolism, root development, gene defense, phytochrome and pigment signals, and nitrogen utilization efficiency. , …”