Overexpression of the alfalfa DnaJ-like protein (MsDJLP) gene enhances tolerance to chilling and heat stresses in transgenic tobacco plants

Authors : KI-WON LEE, MD. ATIKUR RAHMAN, Ki-yong KIM, Gi Jun CHOI, Joon-yung CHA, Mi Sun CHEONG, ABDULLAH MOHAMMAD SHOHAEL, Chris JONES, Sang Hoon LEE

Pages : 12-22

View : 11 | Download : 4

Publication Date : 2018-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :n plant development and abiotic stress response processes. In this study, we examined the role of a HSP, the Medicago sativa DnaJ-like protein insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MsDJLP);, in alfalfa and its potential application for the development of abiotic stress tolerance in plants. We found that expression of the MsDJLP gene was induced by chilling insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4 °C); and heat insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(42 °C);, but not by cadmium insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(500 µM); or arsenic insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(500 µM); stresses. We then cloned the MsDJLP gene downstream of the strong constitutive CaMV 35S promoter and transformed it into tobacco plants. Ectopic expression of MsDJLP conferred enhanced tolerance to both chilling and heat stresses in transgenic tobacco plants. Under chilling stress, the transgenic tobacco plants showed lower H$_{2}$O$_{2}$ accumulation and electrolyte leakage insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(EL); activity, and better photosystem II efficiency than wild-type insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(WT); plants, indicating that photoinhibition was less severe in transgenic compared to WT plants. Following heat treatment, the transgenic plants showed better relative chlorophyll and water contents, and lower malondialdehyde accumulation than WT plants. Our study provides evidence for a pivotal role of MsDJLP for chilling and heat stress tolerance in transgenic tobacco plants.
Keywords : Alfalfa, MsDJLP, transgenic tobacco, chilling, heat stress