The transcription factor WRKY22 is required during cryo-stress acclimation in Arabidopsis shoot tips

Abstract

Storage of meristematic tissue at ultra-low temperatures offers a mean to maintain valuable genetic resources from vegetatively reproduced plants. To reveal the biology underlying cryo-stress, shoot tips of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana were subjected to a standard preservation procedure. A transcriptomic approach was taken to describe the subsequent cellular events which occurred. The cryoprotectant treatment induced the changes in the transcript levels of genes associated with RNA processing and primary metabolism. Explants of a mutant lacking a functional copy of the transcription factor WRKY22 were compromised for recovery. A number of putative downstream targets of WRKY22 were identified, some related to phytohormone-mediated defense, to the osmotic stress response, and to development. There were also alterations in the abundance of transcript produced by genes encoding photosynthesis-related proteins. The wrky22 mutant plants developed an open stomata phenotype in response to their exposure to the cryoprotectant solution. WRKY22 probably regulates a transcriptional network during cryo-stress, linking the explant’s defense and osmotic stress responses to changes in its primary metabolism. A model is proposed linking WRKY53 and WRKY70 downstream of the action of WRKY22.

Cryopreservation of Duckweed Genetic Diversity as Model for Long-Term Preservation of Aquatic Flowering Plants

“…In numerous studies [ 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ], dismantling thylakoid membranes and plastoglobuli formation is demonstrated for plant tissue pretreated with PVS. Chlorophyll is also degraded upon dehydration stress [ 45 , 57 ].…”

Comparative Transcriptome and Interaction Protein Analysis Reveals the Mechanism of IbMPK3-Overexpressing Transgenic Sweet Potato Response to Low-Temperature Stress

“…WRKY genes have been found to be transcriptionally regulated in response to abiotic stress in plants. WRKY22 acts during cryo-stress acclimation in Arabidopsis shoot tips via mediating defense-related genes and osmotic stress response-related genes [ 67 ]. Overexpression of watermelon CIWRKY20 in Arabidopsis can improve low-temperature tolerance via increased sensitivity to ABA signaling pathway [ 68 ].…”