Abstract
Low temperature is a major stress that severely affects plant development, growth, distribution, and productivity. Here, we examined the function of a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase-encoding gene, SlF3HL, in chilling stress responses in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Alisa Craig [AC]). Knockdown (KD) of SlF3HL (through RNA interference) in tomato led to increased sensitivity to chilling stress as indicated by elevated levels of electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, the KD plants had decreased levels of proline and decreased activities of peroxisome and superoxide dismutase. The expression of four cold-responsive genes was substantially reduced in the KD plants. Furthermore, seedling growth was significantly greater in AC or SlF3HL-overexpression plants than in the KD plants under either normal growth conditions with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) or chilling stress conditions. SlF3HL appears to positively regulate JA accumulation and the expression of JA biosynthetic and signaling genes under chilling stress. Together, these results suggest that SlF3HL is a positive regulator of chilling stress tolerance and functions in the chilling stress tolerance pathways, possibly by regulating JA biosynthesis, JA signaling, and ROS levels.
Highlights
Cold stress is among the main environmental stresses limiting plant geographical distribution, growth and yield[1]
We showed that SlF3HL positively regulates chilling stress tolerance, possibly by modulating JA biosynthesis, the expression of JA signaling molecules and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under chilling stress conditions
SlF3HL belongs to the 2-OG oxygenase family, and the members of this family are involved in various biological processes including plant hormone biosynthesis[43]
Summary
Cold stress is among the main environmental stresses limiting plant geographical distribution, growth and yield[1]. Chilling-sensitive plants, such as tomato, cucumber, and sweet pepper, can suffer from cold injury and reduced productivity when exposed to low temperature (0–12 °C). Cold acclimation enables many temperate plants to obtain chilling tolerance after being exposed to low temperatures[3]. Cold acclimation involves many physiological and biochemical processes, including changes in membrane stability[4], calcium fluxes[5], and changes in cell wall properties[6]. These changes are related to the transcript levels of a number of cold-regulated genes in plants[7]
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