title: Expression of an osmotin-like protein from Solanum nigrum confers drought tolerance in transgenic soybean.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Drought is by far the most important environmental factor contributing to yield losses in crops, including soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. To address this problem, a gene that encodes an osmotin-like protein isolated from Solanum nigrum var. americanum (SnOLP) driven by the UBQ3 promoter from Arabidopsis thaliana was transferred into the soybean genome by particle bombardment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two independently transformed soybean lines expressing SnOLP were produced. Segregation analyses indicated single-locus insertions for both lines. qPCR analysis suggested a single insertion of SnOLP in the genomes of both transgenic lines, but one copy of the hpt gene was inserted in the first line and two in the second line. Transgenic plants exhibited no remarkable phenotypic alterations in the seven analyzed generations. When subjected to water deficit, transgenic plants performed better than the control ones. Leaf physiological measurements revealed that transgenic soybean plants maintained higher leaf water potential at predawn, higher net CO2 assimilation rate, higher stomatal conductance and higher transpiration rate than non-transgenic plants. Grain production and 100-grain weight were affected by water supply. Decrease in grain productivity and 100-grain weight were observed for both transgenic and non-transgenic plants under water deficit; however, it was more pronounced for non-transgenic plants. Moreover, transgenic lines showed significantly higher 100-grain weight than non-transgenic plants under water shortage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report showing that expression of SnOLP in transgenic soybeans improved physiological responses and yield components of plants when subjected to water deficit, highlighting the potential of this gene for biotechnological applications.
authors.forename: Ricardo Luís Mayer
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wiebke-Strohm
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bredemeier
authors.forename: Márcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Margis-Pinheiro
authors.forename: Giovani Greigh
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: de Brito
authors.forename: Ciliana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rechenmacher
authors.forename: Paulo Fernando
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Bertagnolli
authors.forename: Maria Eugênia Lisei
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: de Sá
authors.forename: Magnólia de Araújo
authors.initials: Mde A
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Regina Maria Santos
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: de Amorim
authors.forename: Magda Aparecida
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Beneventi
authors.forename: Rogério
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Margis
authors.forename: Maria Fátima
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Grossi-de-Sa
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bodanese-Zanettini
mesh_terms: D055864:Droughts; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D032324:Solanum nigrum / Q000235:genetics*; D013025:Glycine max / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D014867:Water