The maize late embryogenesis abundant protein ZmDHN13 positively regulates copper tolerance in transgenic yeast and tobacco

Abstract

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins accumulate in the late stage of plant seed development, and are upregulated in most plants during drought, cold, heat, or salinity stress. LEA proteins can be classified by amino-acid sequence into seven groups. Dehydrins belong to LEA protein group II. In previous studies, the maize KS type dehydrin ZmDHN13 increased the tolerance of transgenic tobacco to oxidative stress. In the present study, ZmDHN13 was identified under copper stress conditions, and the protein was then characterized using transgenic yeast and tobacco plants to investigate its functions. ZmDHN13 bound Cu2+. Its overexpression in transgenic tobacco conferred tolerance to copper stress by binding metals and reducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Three conserved domains displayed a cooperative effect under copper stress conditions.