Hydrogen sulfide improves the cold stress resistance through the CsARF5-CsDREB3 module in cucumber

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays a crucial role in regulating cold tolerance. But the synergistic regulation of H2S and auxin in the plant response to cold stress has not been reported. In the study, we found that sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, an H2S donor) treatment enhanced the cold tolerance of cucumber seedlings and increased the level of auxin. CsARF5, a cucumber auxin response factor (ARF) gene was isolated and its role in regulating H2S-mediated cold stress tolerance was described. Transgenic cucumber leaves overexpressing CsARF5 were obtained. Physiological analysis indicated that overexpression of CsARF5 enhanced the cold stress tolerance of cucumber and the regulation of the cold stress response by CsARF5 depends on H2S. In addition, molecular assays showed that CsARF5 modulated cold stress response by directly activating the expression of the dehydration-responsive element-binding (DREB)/C-repeat binding factor (CBF) gene CsDREB3, which was identified as a positive regulator of cold stress. Taken together, our results suggest that CsARF5 plays an important role in H2S-mediated cold stress in cucumber. These results shed light on the molecular mechanism by which H2S regulates cold stress response by mediating auxin signaling, and will provide insights for further studies on the molecular mechanism by which H2S regulates cold stress.

Hydrogen Sulfide and Reactive Oxygen Species, Antioxidant Defense, Abiotic Stress Tolerance Mechanisms in Plants

“…Furthermore, the overexpression of auxin response factor 5 (ARF5) in cucumber unveiled the molecular mechanism of cold tolerance. In transgenic plants overexpressing ARF5 under cold stress, ARF5 directly activates the expression of dehydration-responsive element-binding protein 3 (DREB3) for the reinforcement of auxin signaling to improve cold stress tolerance in cucumber in response to H 2 S application [180] (Figure 6). Previously, it was observed that auxin response factors (ARFs) and miR390 formed an auxin-responsive regulatory network (miR390-TAS3-ARF2/ARF3/ARF4) that strengthens auxin signaling in plants [181].…”

Cold stress triggers freezing tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) via hormone regulation and transcription of related genes

“…Auxin is involved in various aspects of plant growth and development, including cell division and elongation, tissue patterning and the response to environmental stimuli (Zhao 2010;Zhang et al 2021). In addition, auxin plays an important role in regulating plant growth and development under high and low temperature stress (Koini et al 2009;Shibasaki et al 2009;Rahman 2013).…”