Zhen Li1, Fengping Liang1,2, Tianbao Zhang1, Na Fu1, Xinwu Pei3, Yan Long4. 1. Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China. 2. Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China. 3. Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China. peixinwu@caas.cn. 4. Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China. longyan@caas.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is well known that WRKY transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and development, defense regulation and stress responses. RESULTS: In this study, a WRKY transcription factor, WRKY33, was cloned from Caragana korshinskii. A sequence structure analysis showed that it belonged to the Group-I type. Subcellular localization experiments in tobacco epidermal cells showed the presence of CkWRKY33 in the nucleus. Additionally, CkWRKY33 was overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. A phenotypic investigation revealed that compared with wild-type plants, CkWRKY33-overexpressing transgenic plants had higher survival rates, as well as relative soluble sugar, proline and peroxidase contents, but lower malondialdehyde contents, following a drought stress treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This suggested that the overexpression of CkWRKY33 led to an enhanced drought-stress tolerance in transgenic A. thaliana. Thus, CkWRKY33 may act as a positive regulator involved in the drought-stress responses in Caragana korshinskii.
BACKGROUND: It is well known that WRKY transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and development, defense regulation and stress responses. RESULTS: In this study, a WRKY transcription factor, WRKY33, was cloned from Caragana korshinskii. A sequence structure analysis showed that it belonged to the Group-I type. Subcellular localization experiments in tobacco epidermal cells showed the presence of CkWRKY33 in the nucleus. Additionally, CkWRKY33 was overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. A phenotypic investigation revealed that compared with wild-type plants, CkWRKY33-overexpressing transgenic plants had higher survival rates, as well as relative soluble sugar, proline and peroxidase contents, but lower malondialdehyde contents, following a drought stress treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This suggested that the overexpression of CkWRKY33 led to an enhanced drought-stress tolerance in transgenic A. thaliana. Thus, CkWRKY33 may act as a positive regulator involved in the drought-stress responses in Caragana korshinskii.
Authors: Jing Li; Sebastien Besseau; Petri Törönen; Nina Sipari; Hannes Kollist; Liisa Holm; E Tapio Palva Journal: New Phytol Date: 2013-07-01 Impact factor: 10.151