Heterologous expression of the AtDREB1A gene in chrysanthemum increases drought and salt stress tolerance

• Published in: Science China. Life sciences Vol. 49; no. 5; pp. 436 - 445
• Main Authors: Hong, Bo, Tong, Zheng, Ma, Nan, Li, Jianke, Kasuga, Mie, Yamaguchi-Shinozaki, Kazuko, Gao, Junping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Springer Nature B.V 01.10.2006; Department of Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China; College of Landscape Architecture, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China%Department of Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China%Biological Resources Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, 1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-8686, Japan
• Subjects: Arabidopsis - genetics; Arabidopsis Proteins - genetics; Arabidopsis Proteins - metabolism; Chrysanthemum - drug effects; Chrysanthemum - genetics; Chrysanthemum - growth & development; Chrysanthemum - metabolism; Desiccation; Disasters; Electrolytes; Gene Expression - genetics; Phenotype; Plants, Genetically Modified; Seedlings - genetics; Seedlings - growth & development; Seedlings - metabolism; Sodium Chloride - pharmacology; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Water; salt stress tolerance; transcription factor; transgenic chrysanthemum; drought stress tolerance
• ISSN: 1006-9305; 1674-7305; 1862-2798; 1869-1889
• DOI: 10.1007/s11427-006-2014-1

DNA cassette containing an AtDREB1A cDNA and a nos terminator, driven by a cauliflower mosaic 35S promoter, or a stress-inducible rd29A promoter, was transformed into the ground cover chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum) 'Fall Color' genome. Compared with wild type plants, severe growth retardation was observed in 35S:DREB1A plants, but not in rd29A:DREB1A plants. RT-PCR analysis revealed that, under stress conditions, the DREB1A gene was over-expressed constitutively in 35S:DREB1A plants, but was over-expressed inductively in rd29A:DREB1A plants. The transgenic plants exhibited tolerance to drought and salt stress, and the tolerance was significantly stronger in rd29A:DREB1A plants than in 35S:DREB1A plants. Proline content and SOD activity were increased inductively in rd29A:DREB1A plants than in 35S:DREB1A plants under stress conditions. These results indicate that heterologous AtDREB1A can confer drought and salt tolerance in transgenic chrysanthemum, and improvement of the stress tolerance may be related to enhancement of proline content and SOD activity.