Abstract

Zinc finger proteins are widely involved and play an important role in plant growth and abiotic stress. In this research, MdZAT5, a gene encoding C2H2-type zinc finger protein, was cloned and investigated. The MdZAT5 was highly expressed in flower tissues by qRT-PCR analyses and GUS staining. Promoter analysis showed that MdZAT5 contained multiple response elements, and the expression levels of MdZAT5 were induced by various abiotic stress treatments. Overexpression of MdZAT5 in apple calli positively regulated anthocyanin accumulation by activating the expressions of anthocyanin biosynthesis-related genes. Overexpression of MdZAT5 in Arabidopsis also enhanced the accumulation of anthocyanin. In addition, MdZAT5 increased the sensitivity to salt stress in apple calli. Ectopic expression of MdZAT5 in Arabidopsis reduced the expression of salt-stress-related genes (AtNHX1 and AtABI1) and improved the sensitivity to salt stress. In conclusion, these results suggest that MdZAT5 plays a positive regulatory role in anthocyanin accumulation and negatively regulates salt resistance.

Highlights

  • IntroductionAmong the numerous external natural environmental factors, light (one of the most important) affects the entire plant life cycle [1–3]

  • Among the numerous external natural environmental factors, light affects the entire plant life cycle [1–3]

  • Red fruit Begonia is affected by salt stress at 0.5 mg/g NaCl, and Mulus zhumei and Midget Crabapple appear to be affected by salt stress at 5.5 mg/g NaCl [10]

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Summary

Introduction

Among the numerous external natural environmental factors, light (one of the most important) affects the entire plant life cycle [1–3]. The C2H2-type zinc finger proteins play an important role in the growth and development of plants [27–29]. ZINC FINGER of ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA 6 (ZAT6) plays an important role in the regulation of anthocyanin under hydrogen peroxide treatment [18]. ZINC FINGER PROTEIN 5 (ZFP5) can affect root hair development by directly regulating root hair development-related genes [31]. It plays an important role in abiotic stress [32,33]. ZAT5 has been rarely reported in other species, and its function in apple is poorly understood In this assay, we identified a C2H2-type zinc finger protein transcription factor MdZAT5 in apple and characterized its roles in regulating apple calli and transgenic Arabidopsis anthocyanin accumulation and salt stress

Identification and Bioinformatics Analysis of the MdZAT5 Gene in Apple
Phylogenetic and Conserved Motif Analysis of ZAT5 Proteins from Different Plants
Phylogenetic and Conserved Motif Analysis of ZAT5 Proteins from
The Abiotic Stress Response of MdZAT5
MdZAT5 Increased Sensitivity to Salt Stress in Transgenic Apple Calli and Arabidopsis
Ectopic Expression of MdZAT5 Increased ROS Accumulation under Salt
DDiissccuussssiioonn
Plant Materials and Growth Conditions
Bioinformatics Analysis of the MdZAT5 Gene
Phylogenetic Analysis and Multiple Sequence Alignment of ZAT5 Proteins
RNA Extraction and qRT-PCR Assays
Construction of the Expression Vectors and Genetic Transformation
GUS Histochemical Staining
Measurements of Anthocyanin, Relative Electronic Conductivity, and MDA
Measurement of ROS
Conclusions

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