HbBIN2 Functions in Plant Cold Stress Resistance through Modulation of HbICE1 Transcriptional Activity and ROS Homeostasis in <i>Hevea brasiliensis</i>

Cold stress poses significant limitations on the growth, latex yield, and ecological distribution of rubber trees (<i>Hevea brasiliensis</i>). The GSK3-like kinase plays a significant role in helping plants adapt to different biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the functions of GSK3-li...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yi-Min Qiu, Jing Guo, Wei-Zeng Jiang, Jia-Hui Ding, Ru-Feng Song, Jian-Long Zhang, Xi Huang, Hong-Mei Yuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/21/15778
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Summary:Cold stress poses significant limitations on the growth, latex yield, and ecological distribution of rubber trees (<i>Hevea brasiliensis</i>). The GSK3-like kinase plays a significant role in helping plants adapt to different biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the functions of GSK3-like kinase BR-INSENSITIVE 2 (BIN2) in <i>Hevea brasiliensis</i> remain elusive. Here, we identified <i>HbBIN2s</i> of <i>Hevea brasiliensis</i> and deciphered their roles in cold stress resistance. The transcript levels of <i>HbBIN2s</i> are upregulated by cold stress. In addition, HbBIN2s are present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm and have the ability to interact with the INDUCER OF CBF EXPRESSION1(HbICE1) transcription factor, a central component in cold signaling. <i>HbBIN2</i> overexpression in <i>Arabidopsis</i> displays decreased tolerance to chilling stress with a lower survival rate and proline content but a higher level of electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) than wild type under cold stress. Meanwhile, <i>HbBIN2</i> transgenic <i>Arabidopsis</i> treated with cold stress exhibits a significant increase in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Further investigation reveals that HbBIN2 inhibits the transcriptional activity of HbICE1, thereby attenuating the expression of <i>C-REPEAT BINDING FACTOR (HbCBF1).</i> Consistent with this, overexpression of <i>HbBIN2</i> represses the expression of CBF pathway cold-regulated genes under cold stress. In conclusion, our findings indicate that HbBIN2 functions as a suppressor of cold stress resistance by modulating HbICE1 transcriptional activity and ROS homeostasis.
ISSN:1661-6596
1422-0067