Increased drought tolerance through the suppression of ESKMO1 gene and overexpression of CBF-related genes in Arabidopsis

PLoS One. 2014 Sep 3;9(9):e106509. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106509. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Improved drought tolerance is always a highly desired trait for agricultural plants. Significantly increased drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana (Columbia-0) has been achieved in our work through the suppression of ESKMO1 (ESK1) gene expression with small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and overexpression of CBF genes with constitutive gene expression. ESK1 has been identified as a gene linked to normal development of the plant vascular system, which is assumed directly related to plant drought response. By using siRNA that specifically targets ESK1, the gene expression has been reduced and drought tolerance of the plant has been enhanced dramatically in the work. However, the plant response to external abscisic acid application has not been changed. ICE1, CBF1, and CBF3 are genes involved in a well-characterized plant stress response pathway, overexpression of them in the plant has demonstrated capable to increase drought tolerance. By overexpression of these genes combining together with suppression of ESK1 gene, the significant increase of plant drought tolerance has been achieved in comparison to single gene manipulation, although the effect is not in an additive way. Accompanying the increase of drought tolerance via suppression of ESK1 gene expression, the negative effect has been observed in seeds yield of transgenic plants in normal watering conditions comparing with wide type plant.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abscisic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Adaptation, Physiological / genetics*
  • Arabidopsis
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics*
  • Droughts*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / drug effects
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Seeds
  • Stress, Physiological / genetics*
  • Trans-Activators / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • CBF1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Trans-Activators
  • Abscisic Acid

Grants and funding

The research fund was provided by KWS SAAT AG (www.kws.com) to FX as her PhD project. KWS participated in the study design, data analysis, decision to publish and preparation of manuscript via HW.