, a 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase gene in , is involved in drought tolerance and seed germination in transgenic Arabidopsis.

Foxtail millet ( L.) is a vital cereal food crop with promising development and utilization potential because of its outstanding ability to resist drought stress. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its drought stress resistance remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular function of a 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase gene, , in the drought stress response of foxtail millet. Expression pattern analysis showed that expression was significantly induced by abscisic acid (ABA), osmotic stress, and salt stress. Furthermore, ectopic overexpression of could enhance drought stress resistance by elevating endogenous ABA levels and promoting stomatal closure. Transcript analysis indicated that modulated ABA-related stress responsive gene expression. In addition, we found that ectopic expression of delayed seed germination under normal and abiotic stress conditions. Taken together, our results show that plays a positive role in the drought tolerance and seed dormancy of foxtail millet by modulating ABA biosynthesis. In conclusion, this study revealed that is an important candidate gene for the improvement of drought stress tolerance in foxtail millet and could be beneficial in the breeding and investigation of drought tolerance in other agronomic crops.