Open AccessExpression of the MYB transcription factor gene Bpl MYB 46 affects abiotic stress tolerance and secondary cell wall deposition in Betula platyphylla
Author(s) -
Guo Huiyan,
Wang Yucheng,
Wang Liuqiang,
Hu Ping,
Wang Yanmin,
Jia Yuanyuan,
Zhang Chunrui,
Zhang Yu,
Zhang Yiming,
Wang Chao,
Yang Chuanping
Publication year - 2017
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.12595
Subject(s) - myb , abiotic stress , biology , wrky protein domain , betula platyphylla , secondary cell wall , transcription factor , lignin , cell wall , abscisic acid , osmotic shock , abiotic component , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , biochemistry , botany , gene , transcriptome , paleontology
Summary Plant MYB transcription factors control diverse biological processes, such as differentiation, development and abiotic stress responses. In this study, we characterized Bpl MYB 46 , an MYB gene from Betula platyphylla (birch) that is involved in both abiotic stress tolerance and secondary wall biosynthesis. Bpl MYB 46 can act as a transcriptional activator in yeast and tobacco. We generated transgenic birch plants with overexpressing or silencing of Bpl MYB 46 and subjected them to gain‐ or loss‐of‐function analysis. The results suggest that Bpl MYB 46 improves salt and osmotic tolerance by affecting the expression of genes including SOD , POD and P5 CS to increase both reactive oxygen species scavenging and proline levels. In addition, Bpl MYB 46 appears to be involved in controlling stomatal aperture to reduce water loss. Overexpression of Bpl MYB 46 increases lignin deposition, secondary cell wall thickness and the expression of genes in secondary cell wall formation. Further analysis indicated that Bpl MYB 46 binds to MYBCORE and AC ‐box motifs and may directly activate the expression of genes involved in abiotic stress responses and secondary cell wall biosynthesis whose promoters contain these motifs. The transgenic Bpl MYB 46‐ overexpressing birch plants, which have improved salt and osmotic stress tolerance, higher lignin and cellulose content and lower hemicellulose content than the control, have potential applications in the forestry industry.