Over-expression of microRNA169 confers enhanced drought tolerance to tomato.
Plant miRNA regulates multiple developmental and physiological processes, including drought responses. We found that the accumulation of Sly-miR169 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) was induced by drought stress. Consequently, Sly-miR169 targets, namely, three nuclear factor Y subunit genes (SlNF-YA1/2/3) and one multidrug resistance-associated protein gene (SlMRP1), were significantly down-regulated by drought stress. Constitutive over-expression of a miR169 family member, Sly-miR169c, in tomato plant can efficiently down-regulate the transcripts of the target genes. Compared with non-transgenic plants, transgenic plants over-expressing Sly-miR169c displayed reduced stomatal opening, decreased transpiration rate, lowered leaf water loss, and enhanced drought tolerance. Our study is the first to provide evidence that the Sly-miR169c negatively regulates stomatal movement in tomato drought responses.
National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
Xiaohui
X
Zhang
Zhe
Z
Zou
Pengjuan
P
Gong
Junhong
J
Zhang
Khurram
K
Ziaf
Hanxia
H
Li
Fangming
F
Xiao
Zhibiao
Z
Ye
D000129:Acholeplasmataceae; D055864:Droughts; D015870:Gene Expression; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D054046:Plant Stomata / Q000502:physiology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological
D035683:MicroRNAs