The class B heat shock factor RcHsf17 from Rosa chinensis enhances basal thermotolerance in Rosa rugosa

• Published in: Environmental and experimental botany Vol. 225; p. 105832
• Main Authors: Ding, Minghai, Xing, Wen, Li, Zeqing, Jin, Xi, Yu, Qiuxiu, Sun, Jiahui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Cell wall biosynthesis; Photosynthesis; RcHsf17; ROS; Rosa rugosa; Thermotolerance; Cell wall biosynthesis; RcHsf17; Thermotolerance; Rosa rugosa; Photosynthesis; ROS
• ISSN: 0098-8472; 1873-7307
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2024.105832

Rosa rugosa, a species of notable economic importance, faces cultivation challenges attributed to its vulnerability to thermal stress. In this study, we report the molecular cloning and functional characterization of RcHsf17, a heat shock transcription factor (Hsf) from group B2, derived from the stress-resilient cultivar of Chinese rose, R. chinensis ‘Slater's Crimson China’. RcHsf17, which localizes to the nucleus, is responsive to heat stress and various stress-related stimuli, such as abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The overexpression of RcHsf17 in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and R. rugosa significantly enhanced their thermotolerance. In R. rugosa, overexpression of RcHsf17 led to cell wall thickening, sustained photosynthetic efficiency, and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Transcriptome analysis revealed that RcHsf17 upregulated the expression of other Hsfs such as HsfA3 and HsfB1, small heat shock protein genes (sHSPs), and genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis under normal conditions. Under heat stress condition, there is a significant upregulation of HsfA6B, gene associated with photosynthesis, and genes responsible for encoding antioxidant enzymes. These findings collectively emphasize the pivotal role of RcHsf17 in conferring thermotolerance to R. rugosa, through mechanisms that include strengthening cell wall integrity, alleviating heat-induced photosynthetic decline, and enhancing the efficiency of ROS detoxification pathways. •RcHsf17 expression was upregulated with heat, hormones and oxidative treatments.•Overexpression of RcHsf17 in Arabidopsis and R.rugosa improved plant tolerance to heat.•Heat shock factor HsfA6B, as well as cell wall biosynthesis, photosynthesis, and antioxidant related genes are affected to enhance the heat tolerance by RcHsf17 overexpression.