Abstract
The Arabidopsis thaliana lectin ArathEULS3 is upregulated in particular stress conditions and upon abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. ABA is a plant hormone important for plant growth and stress responses. During stress ABA is perceived by PYR/PYL/RCAR receptors, inhibiting protein phosphatases PP2Cs thereby enabling SNRK2s kinases to start downstream phosphorylation cascades and signaling. PYL9, one of the ABA receptors was identified as an interacting partner for ArathEULS3. Promoter::GUS activity studies revealed the expression of ArathEULS3 in the central root cylinder and the cells flanking young lateral root primordia, and showed enhanced expression in root tips after ABA treatment. Transcript levels for ArathEULS3 increased after exposure to ABA and osmotic treatments. ArathEULS3 CRISPR KO mutants served as a tool to expand the knowledge on the role of ArathEULS3 in plant development. KO lines revealed a longer root system compared to WT plants, and showed reduced sensitivity to ABA, salt, and osmotic conditions. Additionally it was noted that the KO mutants had more emerged lateral roots when grown in high osmotic conditions. Together these data suggest that ArathEULS3 may be an important player in ABA responses in roots.
Highlights
Plants have developed a sophisticated set of physiological responses, in which the reaction to different environmental conditions is mediated by different hormones
abscisic acid (ABA) is an important phytohormone which in non-stress conditions is maintained in the plant at low levels
Our results suggest that exposure of WT plants to ABA and PEG results in an increased mRNA level for ArathEULS3 in the WT plants
Summary
Plants have developed a sophisticated set of physiological responses, in which the reaction to different environmental conditions is mediated by different hormones. The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) acts as a stress hormone important during drought and high salinity conditions as well as during seed maturation (Yoshida et al, 2019). Plants maintain low concentrations of this hormone even in non-stress conditions. Plant roots are the first to sense changing soil conditions like water shortage or osmotic pressure, which is why ABA levels rise first in the roots. When ABA reaches the leaves, it causes closing of the stomatal aperture, by inducing stressresponsive genes, reducing the entry of CO2 to the leaf, and ensuring higher tolerance to dry soil conditions. Activated SNRK2s phosphorylate ABAresponsive transcription factors, thereby activating ABA-responsive genes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
