Zhang Xueying, Zhang Shuting, Wang Shuangjie, Ma Wentao, Zhai Tingkai, Gao Jie, Lai Chunwang, Zhang Zihao, Chen Yukun, Lai Zhongxiong, Lin Yuling
Institute of Horticultural Biotechnology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
Plant Physiol. 2025 Mar 1;197(3). doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiaf096.
Heat stress can seriously affect plant growth and development. Ethylene response factors (ERFs) play important roles in plant development and physiological responses. Here, we identified DlERF6, an ERF family transcription factor that promotes heat tolerance in Dimocarpus longan. DlERF6 was strongly induced by heat stress and IAA treatment in longan roots. Overexpression of DlERF6 generated abundant, fast-growing hairy roots and enhanced longan heat stress tolerance by promoting IAA biosynthesis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. Additional assays indicated that DlERF6 directly binds to the DlGH3.5 promoter and represses its expression. Overexpressing DlGH3.5 reduced hairy root number, root length, and heat tolerance, concomitant with a reduction in IAA content and ROS scavenging. Collectively, these results reveal the molecular mechanism through which the DlERF6-DlGH3.5 module regulates root growth and heat stress tolerance, providing a gene network that can be used for the genetic improvement of longan.
热胁迫会严重影响植物的生长发育。乙烯响应因子（ERFs）在植物发育和生理反应中发挥着重要作用。在此，我们鉴定出了DlERF6，它是一种ERF家族转录因子，可促进龙眼的耐热性。DlERF6在龙眼根中受热胁迫和IAA处理强烈诱导。过表达DlERF6可产生大量快速生长的毛状根，并通过促进IAA生物合成和活性氧（ROS）清除来增强龙眼的热胁迫耐受性。进一步的试验表明，DlERF6直接与DlGH3.5启动子结合并抑制其表达。过表达DlGH3.5会减少毛状根数量、根长和耐热性，同时伴随着IAA含量和ROS清除的减少。总的来说，这些结果揭示了DlERF6 - DlGH3.5模块调控根系生长和热胁迫耐受性的分子机制，提供了一个可用于龙眼遗传改良的基因网络。
