Open AccessOverexpression of a rice heme activator protein gene ( Os HAP 2E ) confers resistance to pathogens, salinity and drought, and increases photosynthesis and tiller number
Author(s) -
Alam Md. Mahfuz,
Tanaka Toru,
Nakamura Hidemitsu,
Ichikawa Hiroaki,
Kobayashi Kappei,
Yaeno Takashi,
Yamaoka Naoto,
Shimomoto Kota,
Takayama Kotaro,
Nishina Hiroshige,
Nishiguchi Masamichi
Publication year - 2015
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.12239
Subject(s) - biology , genetically modified rice , abscisic acid , xanthomonas oryzae , gene , salicylic acid , gene expression , activator (genetics) , photosynthesis , transgene , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , genetically modified crops , biochemistry
Summary Heme activator protein ( HAP ), also known as nuclear factor Y or CCAAT binding factor ( HAP / NF ‐Y / CBF ), has important functions in regulating plant growth, development and stress responses. The expression of rice HAP gene ( Os HAP 2E ) was induced by probenazole ( PBZ ), a chemical inducer of disease resistance. To characterize the gene, the chimeric gene ( Os HAP 2E:: GUS ) engineered to carry the structural gene encoding β‐glucuronidase ( GUS ) driven by the promoter from Os HAP 2E was introduced into rice. The transgenic lines of Os HAP 2Ein:: GUS with the intron showed high GUS activity in the wounds and surrounding tissues. When treated by salicylic acid ( SA ), isonicotinic acid ( INA ), abscisic acid ( ABA ) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), the lines showed GUS activity exclusively in vascular tissues and mesophyll cells. This activity was enhanced after inoculation with Magnaporthe oryzae or Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae . The Os HAP 2E expression level was also induced after inoculation of rice with M. oryzae and X. oryzae pv. oryzae and after treatment with SA , INA , ABA and H 2 O 2, respectively. We further produced transgenic rice overexpressing Os HAP 2E . These lines conferred resistance to M. oryzae or X. oryzae pv. oryzae and to salinity and drought. Furthermore, they showed a higher photosynthetic rate and an increased number of tillers. Microarray analysis showed up‐regulation of defence‐related genes. These results suggest that this gene could contribute to conferring biotic and abiotic resistances and increasing photosynthesis and tiller numbers.