GmNFYA3, a target gene of miR169, is a positive regulator of plant tolerance to drought stress

Abstract

Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) is a heterotrimeric transcription factor composed of NF-YA, NF-YB and NF-YC proteins. In this study, we identified and characterized a gene, GmNFYA3, which encodes the NF-YA subunit of the NF-Y complex in soybeans (Glycine max L.). Real time RT-PCR analysis indicated that GmNFYA3 was induced by abscisic acid (ABA) and abiotic stresses, such as polyethylene glycol, NaCl and cold. Subcellular localization analysis suggested that GmNFYA3 may activate its specific targets in the nucleus. Histochemical β-glucuronidase (GUS) staining revealed that the expression of the GUS gene driven by the GmNFYA3 promoter occurred in various transgenic Arabidopsis tissues. Coexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana and 5' RACE assays indicated that miR169 directs GmNFYA3 mRNA cleavage in vivo. Overexpression of GmNFYA3 resulted in Arabidopsis with reduced leaf water loss and enhanced drought tolerance. In addition, the transgenic Arabidopsis exhibited increased sensitivity to high salinity and exogenous ABA. Moreover, the transcript levels of ABA biosynthesis (ABA1, ABA2), ABA signaling (ABI1, ABI2) and stress-responsive genes, including RD29A and CBF3, were generally higher in GmNFYA3 plants than in wild-type controls under normal conditions. These results suggest that the GmNFYA3 gene functions in positive modulation of drought stress tolerance and has potential applications in molecular breeding to enhance drought tolerance in crops.

A Wheat CCAAT Box-Binding Transcription Factor Increases the Grain Yield of Wheat with Less Fertilizer Input

“…Overexpression of TaNFYA-B1 Promotes Wheat Growth and Grain Yield NF-Y transcription factors have been shown to improve drought tolerance in Arabidopsis , maize (Nelson et al, 2007), and soybean (Glycine max; Ni et al, 2013) and to reduce N starvation-induced senescence in Arabidopsis (Leyva-González et al, 2012). Here, we found that overexpressing TaNFYA-B1 improved N uptake, P uptake, and grain yield in wheat Figure 6.…”

“…Several studies suggested that members of the NF-Y family play essential roles in the control of flowering (Kumimoto et al, 2008(Kumimoto et al, , 2010Wei et al, 2010;Li et al, 2011;Yan et al, 2011), seed development (Yamamoto et al, 2009), photosynthesis (Stephenson et al, 2010(Stephenson et al, , 2011, and nodule development (Combier et al, 2006(Combier et al, , 2008Zanetti et al, 2010). Other NF-Y family members are known to enhance tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought (Nelson et al, 2007;Stephenson et al, 2007;Li et al, 2008;Ni et al, 2013), salinity (Zhao et al, 2009;Leyva-González et al, 2012), and cold (Leyva-González et al, 2012;Shi et al, 2014). A relationship between NF-Ys and N utilization was first reported in yeast: the HAP complex regulates the expression of Glucose dehydrogenase1 and an N-starvationspecific gene, vacuolar serine protease (isp6 + ; Dang et al, 1996;Nakashima et al, 2002;Riego et al, 2002).…”

Assessment of miRNA expression profile and differential expression pattern of target genes in cold-tolerant and cold-sensitive tomato cultivars

“…[57] NF-Y is also known as heme-activated protein or CCAAT-binding factor. Moreover, CCAAT box is present in about 25% of eukaryotic gene promoters.…”

“…Moreover, CCAAT box is present in about 25% of eukaryotic gene promoters. [57,58] Over-expression of NFYB1 in Arabidopsis and maize conferred significantly increased drought resistance. [59] In drought stress, expression of NF-Y genes appears to be decreased in wheat leaves.…”

Genome-wide identification and annotation of the Nuclear-factor YA gene family in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

“…Additionally, Arabidopsis AtNF-YA3 and AtNF-YA8 were also found as redundant genes required in early embryogenesis of plants [11]. In soybean, overexpression of GmNF-YA3 conferred the reduction of leaf water loss and enhanced drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants [12].…”