Knock-down the expression of TaH2B-7D using virus-induced gene silencing reduces wheat drought tolerance

Abstract

BackgroundDrought is a major abiotic stress affecting global wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. Exploration of drought-tolerant genes is essential for the genetic improvement of drought tolerance in wheat. Previous studies have shown that some histone encoding genes are involved in plant drought tolerance. However, whether the H2B family genes are involved in drought stress response remains unclear.MethodsHere, we identified a wheat histone H2B family gene, TaH2B-7D, which was significantly up-regulated under drought stress conditions. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology was used to further verify the function of TaH2B-7D in wheat drought tolerance. The phenotypic and physiological changes were examined in the TaH2B-7D knock-down plants.ResultsIn the TaH2B-7D knock-down plants, relative electrolyte leakage rate and malonaldehyde (MDA) content significantly increased, while relative water content (RWC) and proline content significantly decreased compared with those in the non-knocked-down plants under drought stress conditions. TaH2B-7D knock-down plants exhibited severe sagging, wilting and dwarf phenotypes under drought stress conditions, but not in the non-knocked-down plants, suggesting that the former were more sensitive to drought stress.ConclusionThese results indicate that TaH2B-7D potentially plays a vital role in conferring drought tolerance in wheat.

Genome-Wide Association Study on Root System Architecture and Identification of Candidate Genes in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

“…Three biological replications were used for each experiment. TaActin3 was used as an internal control [71], and the relative expression value was calculated using the 2 −∆∆Ct method. All primers used for RT-qPCR were listed in Table S6.…”

Transcriptomic Analysis of the Tolerance Response to Dehydration and Rehydration in Wheat Seedlings

“…WRKY, MYB/MYC, and NAC were the most highly upregulated inducible genes, whereas bHLH and MYB were the most down-regulated. Among the droughtinduced genes, drought-resistant genes, and related genes that are directly or indirectly involved in wheat are: aldehyde dehydrogenase, ABA responsive element binding factor (ABF) [39], xanthoxin dehydrogenase (ABA2) [40], aldehyde dehydrogenase, ALDH7A1/ALDH18A1 [41], cell autophagy related genes (TdAtg8) [42], ubiquinol oxidase (AOX1/AOX2) [43], H + transporters, F-box and leucinerich repeat protein (FBXL), plant G-box-binding factor (GBF) [44], glutathione S-transferase [5], jasmonate ZIM domain-containing protein (JAZ) [44], threonine protein kinase (SNRK2) [40,45], histone (H2A/H2B) [46,47], auxin-responsive protein IAA (IAA) [48], regulator AP2-EREBP [49], lipoxygenase (LOX) [3], protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) [50], was-ester synthase/diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (WSD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) [51], zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP), light capture complex I and chlorophyll a/b binding proteins in complex II (LHCA and LHCB), MAPK related to protein kinase signal, zinc finger proteins 96, and plant hormone signal transduction (G2-like).…”

Advanced Biotechnological Interventions in Mitigating Drought Stress in Plants

“…Targeting the TaH2B-7D gene in wheat via VIGS has been shown to increase drought tolerance by affecting the relative electrolyte leakage rate and malondialdehyde levels, while also impacting proline and relative water content. These knock-down plants exhibited dwarf phenotypes and wilting symptoms compared to their non-modified counterparts, underscoring the role of the TaH2B-7D gene in drought resistance [ 84 ]. Additionally, the upregulation of the AtHUB2 gene in cotton has enhanced its drought response [ 77 ], whereas silencing genes like SpMAPK1, SpMAPK2, and SpMAPK3 in Solanum pimpinellifolium , GhWRKY27a in cotton, and others have diversely impacted drought tolerance, demonstrating the nuanced interplay of genetic factors in plant stress responses [ 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 ].…”