title: Structure of RNA-interacting cyclophilin A-like protein from Piriformospora indica that provides salinity-stress tolerance in plants.
abstract: Soil salinity problems are widespread around the globe with increased risk of spreading over the years. The fungus Piriformospora indica, identified in Indian Thar desert, colonizes the roots of monocotyledon plants and provides resistance towards biotic as well as abiotic stress conditions. We have identified a cyclophilin A-like protein from P. indica (PiCypA), which shows higher expression levels during salinity stress. The transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing PiCypA develop osmotic tolerance and exhibit normal growth under osmotic stress conditions. The crystal structure and NMR spectroscopy of PiCypA show a canonical cyclophilin like fold exhibiting a novel RNA binding activity. The RNA binding activity of the protein and identification of the key residues involved in the RNA recognition is unique for this class of protein. Here, we demonstrate for the first time a direct evidence of countering osmotic stress tolerance in plant by genetic modification using a P. indica gene.
authors.affiliation: 1] Plant Molecular Biology group [2].
authors.forename: Dipesh Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Trivedi
authors.forename: Harshesh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bhatt
authors.forename: Ravi Kant
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Renu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tuteja
authors.forename: Bharti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: Atul Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Johri
authors.forename: Neel Sarovar
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Bhavesh
authors.forename: Narendra
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tuteja
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000235:genetics*; D021984:Cyclophilin A / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D023061:Gene Order; D018390:Gene Targeting; D008958:Models, Molecular; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010641:Phenotype; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D055049:Salt Tolerance / Q000235:genetics*; D036226:Seedlings; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012313:RNA; D021984:Cyclophilin A