GhSTOP1, a C2H2 type zinc finger transcription factor is essential for aluminum and proton stress tolerance and lateral root initiation in cotton

Abstract

The Aluminum (Al) and proton (H ) ions are major acid soil stress factors deleteriously affecting plant root growth and crop yield. In our preliminary studies, cotton seedlings (Gossypium hirsutum L.) displayed very sensitive phenotypes to Al and H rhizotoxicities. Based on previous Arabidopsis results, we aimed to characterize the Al stress responsive Sensitive to Proton rhizotoxicity 1 (GhSTOP1) transcription system in cotton by RNAi mediated down-regulation. With the help of seed embryo apex explants, we developed transgenic cotton plants overexpressing a GhSTOP1-RNAi cassette with NPTII selection. Kanamycin tolerant T1 seedlings were further considered for Al and H stress tolerance studies. Down-regulation of the GhSTOP1 displayed increased sensitivity to Al and proton rhizotoxicities and the root growth was significantly reduced in RNAi-lines. The expression profile of GhALMT1 (Aluminum-activated Malate Transporter 1), GhMATE (Multidrug and Toxic Compound Extrusion), GhALS3 (Aluminum Sensitive 3) and the key genes involved in the GABA shunt were downregulated in the transgenic RNAi lines. Additionally, the lateral root initiation process was delayed and the expression of GhNAC1 which is involved in lateral root initiation was also suppressed in transgenic lines. Besides, overexpression of GhSTOP1 in Arabidopsis accelerated root growth and AtMATE and AtALMT1 expression under Al stress conditions. These analyses indicate that the GhSTOP1 is necessary for the expression of several genes which are necessary for acid soil tolerance mechanisms and lateral root initiation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Comprehensive genomic survey, structural classification and expression analysis of C2H2 zinc finger protein gene family in Brassica rapa L.

“…Many previous studies reported that most of C2H2-ZFPs function as transcription factors and play important roles in plant growth and development [23,36,37,40,76]. Our subcellular localization prediction showed that 92% of B .…”

“…SIZF3 can significantly increase the level of AsA and enhance salt stress tolerance [35], GhSTOP1 can accelerate root growth and is essential for aluminum and proton stress tolerance in A . thaliana [36]. SGR5 is involved in primary events of geotropism in inflorescence stems in A .…”

Genome-wide identification of C2H2 zinc-finger genes and their expression patterns under heat stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

“…In rice, the C2H2-ZFPs play a role in many aspects of stress tolerance, regulating the responses to cold, drought, oxidative, and salt stresses (Huang et al, 2009; Sun et al, 2010; Xu et al, 2008; Zhang et al, 2014). The functions of the C2H2-ZFPs in many other plants have also been reported, and are often found to be involved in plant development processes such as morphogenesis of cell and trichomes, ripening and senescence (Chang et al, 2018; Moreau et al, 2018; Weng et al, 2015), and stress resistance such as aluminum, drought and salt (Atreyee et al, 2018; Li et al, 2018; Rai, Singh & Shah, 2012). These findings showed that the C2H2-ZFPs are active in multiple physiological processes under stress conditions; however, the functions of the majority of the C2H2-ZFPs in tomato have not been reported.…”

Heterologous Expression of a Glycine soja C2H2 Zinc Finger Gene Improves Aluminum Tolerance in Arabidopsis

“…The phenotypes in response to Al stress were also consistent with other C2H2 ZFPs in different species. For instance, GhSTOP1 could improve Al and H + stress tolerance in transgenic cotton plants, and it played a role as an essential gene to regulate the expression of several genes that are necessary for the tolerance mechanisms in acid aluminum soil and lateral root development [46]. In addition, STOP1-like proteins were indicated to associate with Al tolerance in sweet sorghum.…”