Overexpression of a SBP-Box Gene (VpSBP16) from Chinese Wild Vitis Species in Arabidopsis Improves Salinity and Drought Stress Tolerance

Abstract

Salinity and drought are two major abiotic stresses that limit grape productivity. Responses to stress in grape are known to be regulated by several families of transcription factors. However, little is known about the role of grape Squamosa promoter binding protein (SBP)-box transcription factor genes in response to abiotic stress. To better understand the functions of the grape SBP-box genes in abiotic stress tolerance, a full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence of the putative SBP-box transcription factor gene, VpSBP16 was amplified from Chinese wild grapevine Vitis pseudoreticulata clone “Baihe-35-1”. We observed that the VpSBP16 protein fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter accumulated in the nucleus when transiently expressed in onion epidermal cells. Moreover, VpSBP16 was shown to have transcriptional activation activity using a yeast trans-activation assay. We performed a VpSBP16 functional analysis through the characterization of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants constitutively over-expressing VpSBP16. The transgenic lines had longer roots and the seeds had a higher germination rate than the wild type (WT) under osmotic stress. In addition, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of transgenic seedlings was significantly lower than WT in the transgenic lines, as was electrolyte leakage. VpSBP16 overexpression also elevated expression levels of stress-response genes involved in the salt overly sensitive (SOS) pathway. These results indicate that overexpression VpSBP16 in A. thaliana enhances tolerance of salt and drought stress during seed germination, as well in seedlings and mature plants, by regulating SOS and ROS signaling cascades.

High-throughput deep sequencing reveals the important role that microRNAs play in the salt response in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.)

“…Squamosa promoter binding protein-like (SPL) is a key regulator of plant abiotic stress tolerance. VpSBP16 and BpSPL9 enhance salt and drought stress tolerance in Arabidopsis and Betula platyphylla, respectively [63,64], indicating that miR156 may also participate in the salt stress response in sweet potato. AP2 TFs have been reported to be regulated by miRNA172 and play an important role in the transcriptional regulation of biological processes involved in the growth and development and in the response to abiotic stress [65,66].…”

The Role of EjSPL3, EjSPL4, EjSPL5, and EjSPL9 in Regulating Flowering in Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)

“…At present, the functions of SPL genes in more and more species has been unearthed: Grape VpSBP11 can regulate floral transition and leaf development [36]; BlSPLs in Betula luminifera interact with DELLA protein to participate gibberellin regulation [27]. It is reported that, except flowering, SPL genes are vital in also other physiological processes in plants, such as adventitious root development [13,37], fertility [38], fruit growth and quality [39], floral organ and shoot development [40,41], plant hormone response [42], morphological differentiation [43], and stresses response [44].…”

Identification of Ubiquitin Ligase From Grapevine Ring C3H2C3E3 and Characterization of Drought Resistance Function of VyRCHC114

“…The grapevine variety Vitis yeshanensis was sampled from the eld, located in the grape germplasm resource garden of Northwest A&F University. Annual plants are selected for treatment, and the treatment method is the same [53]. Root samples were taken at 0d, 2d, 4d, 6d, 8d and 10d respectively for subsequent experiments.…”

“…For chlorophyll content measurements, approximately 0.05 g of fresh leaf material was placed in 5 ml of 96% ethanol and incubated at 4•C in the dark overnight. The absorbance of the extracted pigments was measured at 665 and 649 nm using a spectrophotometer (Hitachi Limited, Tokyo, Japan) and the chlorophyll content was calculated as previously described [53].…”