Overexpression of the RNA binding protein MhYTP1 in transgenic apple enhances drought tolerance and WUE by improving ABA level under drought condition. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Tianli; Wang, Na; Xue, Yangchun; Guan, Qingmei; van Nocker, Steven; Liu, Changhai; Ma, Fengwang
• Is Part Of: Plant science. Volume 280(2019)
• Page Start: 397
• Page End: 407
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: RBP RNA binding protein -- YTH YT521-B homology -- YTP YTH domain-containing RNA binding protein -- ABA abscisic acid -- RBD RNA binding domain -- M. hupehensis Malus hupehensis -- MhYTP1 Malus hupehensis YTP1; Abscisic acid -- Apple -- Drought -- Graft -- RNA binding protein -- Stomata; Botany -- Periodicals; Botanique -- Périodiques; 580
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.11.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-9452

Abstract

Highlights: Overexpression of MhYTP1 in apple plants enhances drought tolerance and water use efficiency by improving ABA level which resulted to increased stomatal density and reduced stomatal aperture. MhYTP1 plays more important roles in scion than in rootstock as demonstrated by grafting experiment. Abstract: MhYTP1 is involved in post-transcriptional regulation as a member of YT521-homology (YTH) domain-containing RNA-binding proteins. We previously cloned MhYTP1 and found it participated in various biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, its function in long-term moderate drought has not been verified. Thus, we explored its biological role in response to drought. Under drought condition, the net photosynthesis rate (Pn ) and water use efficiency (WUE) were significantly elevated in MhYTP1 -overexpressing (OE) apple plants when compared with the non-transgenic (NT) controls. Further analysis indicated MhYTP1 expression was associated with elevated ABA content, increased stomatal density and reduced stomatal aperture. In addition, to gain insight into the function of stem-specific expression of MhYTP1, grafting experiments were performed. Interestingly, lower transpiration rate (Tr ) and higher WUE were observed when transgenic plants were used as scions as opposed to rootstocks and when transgenic rather than NT plants were used as rootstocks, indicating MhYTP1 plays crucial roles in grafted plants. These results define a function for MhYTP1 in promoting tolerance to drought conditions, and suggest that MhYTP1 can serve as a candidate gene for future apple drought resistance breeding with the help of biotechnology.