Xu Na, Zhang Songlin, Zhou Xiaoming, Ma Xiaoxuan, Ayiguzeli Mohabaiti, Zhong Haixia, Zhang Fuchun, Zhang Chuan, Yadav Vivek, Wu Xinyu, Mei Xindi
College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China; The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Germplasm Innovation of Crop Resistance in Arid Desert Regions (Preparation), Key Laboratory of Genome Research and Genetic Improvement of Xinjiang Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, Institute of Fruits and Vegetables, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, China.
The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Germplasm Innovation of Crop Resistance in Arid Desert Regions (Preparation), Key Laboratory of Genome Research and Genetic Improvement of Xinjiang Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, Institute of Fruits and Vegetables, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, China.
Plant Physiol Biochem. 2025 Jul;224:109971. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109971. Epub 2025 Apr 29.
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. and other Vitis spp.) is an important economic crop, but its yield and quality are severely affected by drought stress. NAC transcription factors, which play key roles in plant stress responses, have remained largely unexplored in grapevine drought tolerance. This study identified VvNAC33 as a drought-responsive candidate gene through transcriptomic analysis and demonstrated its role as a positive regulator of drought tolerance. VvNAC33 expression was significantly upregulated under drought stress. Subcellular localization and transcriptional activity analyses confirmed its nuclear localization and transcriptional activation potential. Overexpression of VvNAC33 in Arabidopsis thaliana and transient overexpression in grapevine enhanced drought tolerance, whereas virus-induced gene silencing increased drought sensitivity. This enhanced tolerance was associated with the activation of the antioxidant defense system, including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase, which promoted reactive oxygen species scavenging and alleviated oxidative damage. The enhanced expression of VvCAT1, VvCu/ZnSOD, and VvPOD4 by VvNAC33 highlights its crucial role in regulating antioxidant gene expression under drought stress. These findings strongly support the role of VvNAC33 in drought tolerance and identify it as a potential molecular target for enhancing drought resistance in grapevine.
葡萄（欧亚种葡萄和其他葡萄属物种）是一种重要的经济作物，但其产量和品质受到干旱胁迫的严重影响。NAC转录因子在植物应激反应中起关键作用，但在葡萄耐旱性方面的研究仍基本未被探索。本研究通过转录组分析鉴定出VvNAC33为干旱响应候选基因，并证明其作为耐旱性正向调节因子的作用。干旱胁迫下VvNAC33表达显著上调。亚细胞定位和转录活性分析证实了其核定位和转录激活潜力。在拟南芥中过表达VvNAC33以及在葡萄中瞬时过表达均增强了耐旱性，而病毒诱导的基因沉默则增加了干旱敏感性。这种增强的耐受性与抗氧化防御系统的激活有关，包括超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶和过氧化氢酶，它们促进了活性氧的清除并减轻了氧化损伤。VvNAC33对VvCAT1、VvCu/ZnSOD和VvPOD4表达的增强突出了其在干旱胁迫下调节抗氧化基因表达中的关键作用。这些发现有力地支持了VvNAC33在耐旱性中的作用，并将其确定为增强葡萄抗旱性的潜在分子靶点。
