Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) have been considered new tools to genetically manipulate plant characteristics. Here, the expression of TF genes related to the biosynthesis of lignin was assayed in response to cold and drought stresses. Three commercial clones of the Eucalyptus urograndis hybrid were exposed to low nighttime temperatures and water deficit (followed by re-watering). Leaf water potential and gas exchange parameters confirmed the stresses' severity. Although lignin concentration was higher in the basal part of the stem compared with the apical region, no marked changes were observed between stressed and control plants, except for one clone during recovery from drought stress, which was chosen for the TF expression assays. Drought mostly changed the TF expression pattern in this clone. Repression of most TFs in response to drought and rapid recovery of normal levels of transcription after re-watering occurred. The results identify TFs for future studies on secondary cell wall composition and lignin biosynthesis in Eucalyptus species experiencing abiotic stress.
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Since the work studied several TFs and under different stressing conditions, some respond differently from others. Thus, citing the transcription factors here would demand to describe detailed what happen to in the different clones.
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Acknowledgements
URS and PM acknowledges Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for a post-graduation and research fellowships, respectively. The authors thank Fibria Celulose S.A. for providing the Eucalyptus seedlings.
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Souza, U.R., Portilla, J.P.L., Vicentini, R. et al. Transcription factors of lignin biosynthesis respond to cold and drought in Eucalyptus urograndis. Theor. Exp. Plant Physiol. 35, 17–30 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40626-023-00266-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40626-023-00266-4