Journal Article

Expression of the Vicia faba VfPIP1 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana plants improves their drought resistance

Chen, J, Cui, X.H.(China Agricultural Univ., Beijing), Chen, H, Wang, X.C, Hao, F.S

2008

Overview

Plant aquaporins are believed to facilitate water transport across cell membranes. However, the relationship between aquaporins and drought resistance in plants remains unclear. VfPIP1, a putative aquaporin gene, was isolated from Vicia faba leaf epidermis, and its expression was induced by abscisic acid (ABA). Our results indicated that the VfPIP1 protein was localized in the plasma membrane, and its expression in V. faba was induced by 20% polyethylene glycol 6000. To further understand the function of VfPIP1, we obtained VfPIP1-expressing transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants under the control of the CaMV35S promoter. As compared to the wild-type control plants, the transgenic plants exhibited a faster growth rate, a lower transpiration rate, and greater drought tolerance. In addition, the stomata of the transgenic plants closed significantly faster than those of the control plants under ABA or dark treatment. These results suggest that VfPIP1 expression may improve drought resistance of the transgenic plants by promoting stomatal closure under drought stress.

• Publisher: Springer Japan,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: ABA / abscisic acid / Abscisic Acid - physiology / aquaporins / Aquaporins - genetics / Aquaporins - metabolism / Arabidopsis / Arabidopsis - genetics / Arabidopsis - growth & development / Arabidopsis - metabolism / ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Darkness / Drought / DROUGHT RESISTANCE / drought tolerance / Droughts / Epidermis / ESTOMA / Flowers & plants / Gene expression / genes / genetics / growth & development / Life Sciences / metabolism / Phenotype / physiology / Plant Biochemistry / Plant biology / Plant Ecology / Plant Epidermis / Plant Epidermis - metabolism / Plant Leaves / Plant Leaves - metabolism / Plant Physiology / Plant Proteins / Plant Proteins - genetics / Plant Proteins - metabolism / Plant Sciences / Plant Stomata / Plant Stomata - physiology / Plant Transpiration / PLANTAS TRANSGENICAS / PLANTE TRANSGENIQUE / Plants, Genetically Modified / Plants, Genetically Modified - growth & development / Plants, Genetically Modified - metabolism / plasma membrane / polyethylene glycol / Regular Paper / RESISTANCE A LA SECHERESSE / RESISTENCIA A LA SEQUIA / RNA, Messenger / RNA, Messenger - metabolism / STOMATA / stomatal movement / STOMATE / Stress, Physiological / Studies / TRANSGENIC PLANTS / Transpiration / Up-Regulation / VICIA FABA / Vicia faba - genetics / Vicia faba - metabolism / Water / Water - physiology / water stress / Water transport