EoPHR2, a Phosphate Starvation Response Transcription Factor, is Involved in Improving Low-Phosphorus Stress Resistance in Eremochloa ophiuroides

Ying Chen,Shenghao Zhou,Chuanqiang Liu,Ling Li,Qingqing He,Jingjing Wang,Haoran Wang,Jianjian Li,Xiang Yao

doi:10.32604/phyton.2022.017633

Abstract

As a macronutrient, Phosphorus (P) takes many roles in plant growth and development. It should be significant to explore the molecular mechanism of low-phosphorus stress response of plants. Phosphate starvation response (PHR) transcription factors play important roles in response to phosphorus deficiency stress in plants. In this study, we isolated a gene related to the plant phosphorus signaling system from the acid-soil-resistant centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides [Munro] Hack.), termed EoPHR2. The subcellular localization of EoPHR2 protein was observed to be nuclear located. The expression patterns of EoPHR2 in different tissues and Al/Pi-stress conditions were analyzed by qRT-PCR, they suggested a potential role in response to the multiple-stress under acid soil adversity. Based on the functional identification through transgenic plants, we found that (1) EoPHR2 is involved in the Pi-signaling pathway, and (2) overexpression of EoPHR2 mimics Pi-starvation signalling resulting on enhanced roots whether under Pi-deficiency stress or not. In conclusion, EoPHR2 transcription factor plays a role in response to the multiple stresses under acid soil conditions, improving the low-phosphorus stress resistance of Eremochloa ophiuroides.

Highlights

As an essential macronutrient in plants, phosphorus (P) is a structural component of nucleic acid and cell membrane lipids in plant cells
The results indicated that (1) EoPHR2 is involved in the Pi-signaling pathway, and (2) overexpression of EoPHR2 mimics Pi-starvation signalling resulting on enhanced roots whether under Pi-deficiency stress or not
3.1 Isolation and Characterization of the EoPHR2 Gene The full-length cDNA sequence of the EoPHR2 gene was cloned from E. ophiuroides ‘E041’ by RACE (Rapid amplification of cDNA ends) procedures

Summary

Introduction

As an essential macronutrient in plants, phosphorus (P) is a structural component of nucleic acid and cell membrane lipids in plant cells. It participates in various metabolic processes and plays an important role in growth and development [1]. Plants acquire P as free inorganic phosphate (Pi) from soils. Due to low mobility and a high fixation rate, the actual availability of P can be a limiting factor for plant growth, on acid soils with abundant aluminium (Al) which fixes P at a high rate [2,3]. The uptake and utilization of phosphorus depend on the phosphate transporters (PTs) [4,5].

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Results

Conclusion