Open AccessExpression of an A rabidopsis molybdenum cofactor sulphurase gene in soybean enhances drought tolerance and increases yield under field conditions
Author(s) -
Li Yajun,
Zhang Jiachang,
Zhang Juan,
Hao Ling,
Hua Jinping,
Duan Liusheng,
Zhang Mingcai,
Li Zhaohu
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
plant biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.525
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1467-7652
pISSN - 1467-7644
DOI - 10.1111/pbi.12066
Subject(s) - biology , drought tolerance , abscisic acid , genetically modified crops , wilting , transgene , proline , transpiration , malondialdehyde , gene , horticulture , biochemistry , antioxidant , photosynthesis , amino acid
Summary LOS 5/ ABA 3 gene encoding molybdenum cofactor sulphurase is involved in aldehyde oxidase ( AO ) activity in A rabidopsis , which indirectly regulates ABA biosynthesis and increased stress tolerance. Here, we used a constitutive super promoter to drive LOS 5/ ABA 3 overexpression in soybean ( G lycine max L .) to enhance drought tolerance in growth chamber and field conditions. Expression of LOS 5/ ABA 3 was up‐regulated by drought stress, which led to increasing AO activity and then a notable increase in ABA accumulation. Transgenic soybean under drought stress had reduced water loss by decreased stomatal aperture size and transpiration rate, which alleviated leaf wilting and maintained higher relative water content. Exposed to drought stress, transgenic soybean exhibited reduced cell membrane damage by reducing electrolyte leakage and production of malondialdehyde and promoting proline accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activities. Also, overexpression of LOS 5/ ABA 3 enhanced expression of stress‐up‐regulated genes. Furthermore, the seed yield of transgenic plants is at least 21% higher than that of wide‐type plants under drought stress conditions in the field. These data suggest that overexpression of LOS 5/ ABA 3 could improve drought tolerance in transgenic soybean via enhanced ABA accumulation, which could activate expression of stress‐up‐regulated genes and cause a series of physiological and biochemical resistant responses.