REDOXHORMONE

Linking redox and hormonal signalling in Arabidopsis plants with altered levels of a stress-inducible glycosyltransferase

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'UDP-glycosyltransferases catalyze the addition of sugars to a wide range of small molecules thereby altering their activity, solubility and transport. In Arabidopsis, over 100 glycosyltransferase genes are annotated, however, only a limited number of these have been characterized. Arabidopsis UGT74E2 is an indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)-glycosyltransferase expressed in the root expansion zone and in the margins of leaf base and petioles. UGT74E2 transcripts are highly inducible by various biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overproducing UGT74E2 contain significantly higher levels of IBA-glucose and free IBA and show changes in plant architecture and enhanced drought tolerance. Taken together, the results indicate a role for UGT74E2-induced alterations in IBA homeostasis as an adaptation mechanism to environmentally adverse conditions. These results constitute one of the first steps in the largely unexplored field of auxin homeostasis during environmental stress. It is well-documented that ROS play a central role in responses to both abiotic and biotic stresses and ROS/hormonal homeostasis in plants. However, the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The interaction of signals conferring crosstolerance and developmental traits and its influence on crop growth and yield is a priority in programs for improving plant stress tolerance. In this sense, Arabidopsis overexpressing UGT74E2 and T-DNA knockout lines are a valuable tool system. The transgenic plants will be investigated under different abiotic stresses. The analysis of the stress tolerance, levels of hormone and glycosyl-derivates, analysis of the UGT74E2 promoter and the transcriptional profiles of both transgenic and wild-type plants will provide valuable insights into novel stress-responsive genes involve in the crosstalk between hormone and ROS.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

In times of changing climate and water shortages worldwide, it is important to find ways of helping crops survive. This can be done by altering growth and behavioural processes in the plants themselves.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Arabidopsis UGT74E2 is an indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)-glycosyltransferase found in the plant's root expansion zone and the margins of leaf base and petioles. IBA is a plant hormone or auxin, which has a crucial role in coordinating many growth and behavioural processes in the plant life cycle. UGT74E2 can be easily transcripted by introducing various biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Being able to do this and so increasing the production of UGT74E2 can achieve changes in IBA homeostasis and the plant structure. This opens the way for adapting to adverse environmental conditions such as water stress.

The EU-funded project 'Linking redox and hormonal signalling in Arabidopsis plants with altered levels of a stress-inducible glycosyltransferase' (Redoxhormone) investigated ways in which plant growth processes can be manipulated to improve their tolerance to drought or water stress.

Work was done to demonstrate various processes that succeed in modifying plant make-up and reactions to environmental stressors. In the process, it was revealed that IBA and IBA-glucose are important regulators of morphological and physiological stress adaptation mechanisms. Main results show that UGT74E2 over-expression can alter auxin homeostasis and enable transgenic plants to survive extended periods of drought and high salt content. Just as important, the project was able to show that auxins may be able to help safeguard the photosynthesis process when plants are subject to water stress.

These and other Redoxhormone project results are positive markers in the search for new means of protecting crops, dealing with water stress and improving the yields of cultivated crops. This is a definite plus on the road toward a more sustainable society and the use of food and non-food applications for renewable resources and increased biomass production.