Identification and functional characterization of the SUMO system in sweet potato under salt and drought stress. (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yi; Lyu, Shanwu; Hu, Zhifang; Yang, Xuangang; Zhu, Hongbo; Deng, Shulin
• Is Part Of: Plant science. Volume 330(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: Sweet potato -- Ipomoea batatas -- Sumoylation -- Abiotic stress; Botany -- Periodicals; Botanique -- Périodiques; 580
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111645
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-9452

Abstract

Abstract: Sumoylation is a crucial post-translation modification (PTM) that is the covalent attachment of SUMO molecules to the substrate catalyzed by enzyme cascade. Sumoylation is essential in almost every physiological process of plants, particularly in response to abiotic stress. However, little is known about sumoylation in sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas ), the world's seventh most important food crop. In this study, 17 sweet potato SUMO system genes have been cloned and functionally characterized. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed sweet potato SUMO system proteins had conserved domains and activity sites. IbSUMOs, IbSAE1, and IbSCE1 were localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. E3 SUMO ligases showed nuclear or punctate localization. In vitro sumoylation assay confirmed the catalytic activity of sweet potato SUMO system components. Heterologous expression of IbSIZ1 genes in Arabidopsis atsiz1 mutant rescued the defective germination and growth phenotype. IbSCE1a/b and IbSIZ1a/b/c were salt and drought responsive genes. Heterologous expression of IbSCE1a/b/c improved the drought tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana, while IbSIZ1a/b/c significantly enhanced the salt and drought tolerance. Our findings define that the SUMO system in sweet potato shared with conserved function but also possessed specific characterization. The resources presented here would facilitate uncovering the significance of sumoylation in sweet potato. Highlights: SUMO system genes were identified and characterized in sweet potato Ipomoea batatas. Sweet potato SUMO system components catalyzed poly-SUMO chains in vitro . IbSIZ1a/b/c rescued the phenotype of the Arabidopsis thaliana siz1-2 mutant. Heterologous expression of IbSCE1a/b/c improved drought tolerance. Heterologous expression of IbSIZ1a/b/c improved salt and drought tolerance.