Abstract
Key message
TaUSPs are localized in Endoplasmic reticulum and form homo and hetero dimers within themselves. They play significant role in multiple abiotic stress responses in yeast heterologous system and in plants.
Abstract
Universal Stress Proteins are stress responsive proteins present in a variety of life forms ranging from bacteria to multicellular plants and animals. In this study we have identified 85 TaUSP genes in the wheat genome and have characterised their abiotic stress responsive members in yeast under different stress conditions. Localization and Y2H studies suggest that wheat, USP proteins are localized in the ER complex, and extensively crosstalk amongst themselves through forming hetero and homodimers. Expression analysis of these TaUSP genes suggests their role in adaptation to multiple abiotic stresses. TaUSP_5D-1 was found to have some DNA binding activity in yeast. Certain abiotic stress responsive TaUSP genes are found to impart tolerance to temperature stress, oxidative stress, ER stress (DTT treatment) and LiCl2 stress in the yeast heterologous system. TaUSP_5D-1 overexpression in A. thaliana imparts drought tolerance via better lateral root network in transgenic lines. The TaUSP represents an important repertoire of genes for engineering abiotic stress responsiveness in crop plants.
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Abbreviations
- AANH:
-
Adenine nucleotide alpha hydrolases
- CDS:
-
Coding sequence
- DAB:
-
3,3′: Diaminobenzidine
- DTT:
-
Dithiothreitol
- ER:
-
Endoplasmic reticulum
- EV:
-
Empty vector
- H2O2 :
-
Hydrogen peroxide
- ROS:
-
Reactive oxygen species
- TaUSP:
-
Triticum aestivum Universal stress protein
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Funding
AS and CS are thankful to the CSIR for fellowships. This work has been supported by grants from DBT and JC Bose fellowship award. PK is thankful to Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India, for research support.
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AS performed the experiments and written the manuscript. AS and CS analysed the data and discussed the outcomes. PK and AKS conceived the idea and provided logistic support. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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Communicated by Amit Dhingra.
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Singh, A., Singhal, C., Sharma, A.K. et al. Identification of universal stress proteins in wheat and functional characterization during abiotic stress. Plant Cell Rep 42, 1487–1501 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-023-03043-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-023-03043-4