Reduction of GIGANTEA expression in transgenic Brassica rapa enhances salt tolerance.
Here we report the enhancement of tolerance to salt stress in Brassica rapa (Chinese cabbage) through the RNAi-mediated reduction of GIGANTEA ( GI ) expression. Circadian clocks integrate environmental signals with internal cues to coordinate diverse physiological outputs. The GIGANTEA (GI) gene was first discovered due to its important contribution to photoperiodic flowering and has since been shown to be a critical component of the plant circadian clock and to contribute to multiple environmental stress responses. We show that the GI gene in Brassica rapa (BrGI) is similar to Arabidopsis GI in terms of both expression pattern and function. BrGI functionally rescued the late-flowering phenotype of the Arabidopsis gi-201 loss-of-function mutant. RNAi-mediated suppression of GI expression in Arabidopsis Col-0 and in the Chinese cabbage, B. rapa DH03, increased tolerance to salt stress. Our results demonstrate that the molecular functions of GI described in Arabidopsis are conserved in B. rapa and suggest that manipulation of gene expression through RNAi and transgenic overexpression could enhance tolerance to abiotic stresses and thus improve agricultural crop production.
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, 370, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, 560-500, Korea. jakim72@korea.kr.
Jin A
JA
Kim
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, 370, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, 560-500, Korea.
Ha-Eun
HE
Jung
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, 370, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, 560-500, Korea.
Joon Ki
JK
Hong
Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755-3563, USA.
Victor
V
Hermand
Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755-3563, USA.
C
C
Robertson McClung
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, 370, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, 560-500, Korea.
Yeon-Hee
YH
Lee
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, 370, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, 560-500, Korea.
Joo Yeol
JY
Kim
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, 370, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, 560-500, Korea.
Soo In
SI
Lee
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, 370, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, 560-500, Korea.
Mi-Jeong
MJ
Jeong
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, 370, Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, 560-500, Korea.
Jungsun
J
Kim
Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Graduate School of Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, South Korea.
DaeJin
D
Yun
Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Plus), PMBBRC & IALS, Graduate School of Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, South Korea. kim1312@gnu.ac.kr.
WeoYeon
W
Kim
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics; D029741:Brassica rapa / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D057906:Circadian Clocks / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000528:radiation effects; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D017343:Genes, Plant; D018527:Hydroponics; D008027:Light; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D034622:RNA Interference; D055049:Salt Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
D010940:Plant Proteins; D012965:Sodium Chloride
Brassica rapa; Circadian clocks; GIGANTEA (GI); RNAi; Salt stress resistance; Tissue culture