Open AccessCrosstalk of PIF4 and DELLA modulates CBF transcript and hormone homeostasis in cold response in tomato
Author(s) -
Wang Feng,
Chen Xiaoxiao,
Dong Sangjie,
Jiang Xiaochun,
Wang Lingyu,
Yu Jingquan,
Zhou Yanhong
Publication year - 2020
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.13272
Subject(s) - phytochrome , biology , jasmonate , abscisic acid , crosstalk , gibberellin , far red , solanum , arabidopsis , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription factor , methyl jasmonate , plant hormone , gene , promoter , gene expression , botany , genetics , mutant , red light , physics , optics
Summary The ability to interpret daily and seasonal fluctuations, latitudinal and vegetation canopy variations in light and temperature signals is essential for plant survival. However, the precise molecular mechanisms transducing the signals from light and temperature perception to maintain plant growth and adaptation remain elusive. We show that far‐red light induces PHYTOCHROME‐INTERACTING TRANSCRIPTION 4 (SlPIF4) accumulation under low‐temperature conditions via phytochrome A in Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). Reverse genetic approaches revealed that knocking out SlPIF4 increases cold susceptibility, while overexpressing SlPIF4 enhances cold tolerance in tomato plants. SlPIF4 not only directly binds to the promoters of the C‐REPEAT BINDING FACTOR ( SlCBF ) genes and activates their expression but also regulates plant hormone biosynthesis and signals, including abscisic acid, jasmonate and gibberellin (GA), in response to low temperature. Moreover, SlPIF4 directly activates the SlDELLA gene ( GA‐INSENSITIVE 4 , SlGAI4 ) under cold stress, and SlGAI4 positively regulates cold tolerance. Additionally, SlGAI4 represses accumulation of the SlPIF4 protein, thus forming multiple coherent feed‐forward loops. Our results reveal that plants integrate light and temperature signals to better adapt to cold stress through shared hormone pathways and transcriptional regulators, which may provide a comprehensive understanding of plant growth and survival in a changing environment.