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Niu MX, Feng CH, He F, Zhang H, Bao Y, Liu SJ, Liu X, Su Y, Liu C, Wang HL, Yin W, Xia X. The miR6445-NAC029 module regulates drought tolerance by regulating the expression of glutathione S-transferase U23 and reactive oxygen species scavenging in Populus. New Phytol 2024. [PMID: 38515251 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are essential in plant development and stress resistance, but their specific roles in drought stress require further investigation. Here, we have uncovered that a Populus-specific microRNAs (miRNA), miR6445, targeting NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) family genes, is involved in regulating drought tolerance of poplar. The expression level of miR6445 was significantly upregulated under drought stress; concomitantly, seven targeted NAC genes showed significant downregulation. Silencing the expression of miR6445 by short tandem target mimic technology significantly decreased the drought tolerance in poplar. Furthermore, 5' RACE experiments confirmed that miR6445 directly targeted NAC029. The overexpression lines of PtrNAC029 (OE-NAC029) showed increased sensitivity to drought compared with knockout lines (Crispr-NAC029), consistent with the drought-sensitive phenotype observed in miR6445-silenced strains. PtrNAC029 was further verified to directly bind to the promoters of glutathione S-transferase U23 (GSTU23) and inhibit its expression. Both Crispr-NAC029 and PtrGSTU23 overexpressing plants showed higher levels of PtrGSTU23 transcript and GST activity while accumulating less reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, poplars overexpressing GSTU23 demonstrated enhanced drought tolerance. Taken together, our research reveals the crucial role of the miR6445-NAC029-GSTU23 module in enhancing poplar drought tolerance by regulating ROS homeostasis. This finding provides new molecular targets for improving the drought resistance of trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Xue Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Cong-Hua Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Fang He
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry & Grassland Administration on Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Han Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yu Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Shu-Jing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yanyan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hou-Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Weilun Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xinli Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
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