Abstract
BackgroundAs important forest tree species, biological stress and soil salinization are important factors that restrict the growth of Populus × euramericana. WRKYs are important transcription factors in plants that can regulate plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, PeWRKY31 was isolated from Populus × euramericana, and its bioinformation, salt resistance and insect resistance were analyzed. This study aims to provide guidance for producing salt-resistant and insect-resistant poplars.ResultsPeWRKY31 has a predicted open reading frame (ORF) of 1842 bp that encodes 613 amino acids. The predicted protein is the unstable, acidic, and hydrophilic protein with a molecular weight of 66.34 kDa, and it has numerous potential phosphorylation sites, chiefly on serines and threonines. PeWRKY31 is a zinc-finger C2H2 type-II WRKY TF that is closely related to WRKY TFs of Populus tomentosa, and localizes to the nucleus. A PeWRKY31 overexpression vector was constructed and transformed into Nicotiana tabacum L. Overexpression of PeWRKY31 improved the salt tolerance and insect resistance of the transgenic tobacco. Transcriptome sequencing and KEGG enrichment analysis showed the elevated expression of genes related to glutathione metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, and MAPK signaling pathways, the functions of which were important in plant salt tolerance and insect resistance in the overexpressing tobacco line.ConclusionsPeWRKY31 was isolated from Populus × euramericana. Overexpression of PeWRKY31 improved the resistance of transgenic plant to salt stress and pest stress. The study provides references for the generation of stress-resistant lines with potentially great economic benefit.
Highlights
As important forest tree species, biological stress and soil salinization are important factors that restrict the growth of Populus × euramericana
In order to clarify the function, PeWRKY31 was isolated from Populus × euramericana and its sequence was analyzed using bioinformatics in this study
Screening and cloning of PeWRKY31 Total RNA was extracted from leaves of Populus × euramericana clones and lines that had been treated with 4% salt or chewed by Clostera anachoreta
Summary
As important forest tree species, biological stress and soil salinization are important factors that restrict the growth of Populus × euramericana. WRKYs are important transcription factors in plants that can regulate plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The transcriptional regulation of stress response genes helps plants respond to various stressors [2], but is important for plant growth, development, and metabolic pathways [3]. Transcription factors, present in various families with complex functions, play an important role in plant development, metabolism, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Transcription factors such as NAC, AP2/ ERF, and WRKY play important roles in the regulation of plant growth under stress [4]. The WRKYs of Arabidopsis and rice have been shown to play a role in insect resistance [23, 24], but few studies have investigated poplar WRKYs in the context of insect resistance
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
