Overexpression of two R2R3-MYB genes from Scutellaria baicalensis induces phenylpropanoid accumulation and enhances oxidative stress resistance in transgenic tobacco.

MYB proteins are involved in many significant physiological and biochemical processes, including regulation of primary and secondary metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, response to various biotic and abiotic stresses, hormone synthesis and signal transduction. The functions of R2R3-MYB proteins in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi under abiotic stress, however, has not been elucidated. To study the molecular mechanism by which MYB2 and MYB7 respond to abiotic stress in S. baicalensis, we analyzed the phenylpropanoid content, growth phenotype, antioxidant enzyme activity and flavonoid synthesis-associated gene expression in SbMYB2 or SbMYB7-overexpressing transgenic tobacco plants after treatment with NaCl, mannitol and abscisic acid (ABA). The transgenic tobacco showed a higher fresh weight than did the wild type (WT) tobacco. In contrast, antioxidant enzyme activity and flavonoid synthesis-related gene expression were markedly higher in WT tobacco after treatment with NaCl, mannitol and ABA, as compared to transgenic plants, This is likely because increased phenylpropanoid accumulation in transgenic tobacco plants played a central role in abiotic stress resistance. These results indicate that overexpression of SbMYB2 or SbMYB7 increased phenylpropanoid accumulation and enhanced NaCl, mannitol and ABA stresses tolerance in transgenic tobacco.