ThIPK2 is an inositol polyphosphate kinase gene cloned from Thellungiella halophila that participates in diverse cellular processes. Drought is a major limiting factor in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. The present study investigated whether the application of the ThIPK2 gene could increase the drought resistance of transgenic wheat. The codon-optimized ThIPK2 gene was transferred into common wheat through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation driven by either a constitutive maize ubiquitin promoter or a stress-inducible rd29A promoter from Arabidopsis. Molecular characterization confirmed the presence of the foreign gene in the transformed plants. The transgenic expression of ThIPK2 in wheat led to significantly improve drought tolerance compared to that observed in control plants. Compared to the wild type (WT) plants, the transgenic plants showed higher seed germination rates, better developed root systems, a higher relative water content (RWC) and total soluble sugar content, and less cell membrane damage under drought stress conditions. The expression profiles showed different expression patterns with the use of different promoters. The codon-optimized ThIPK2 gene is a candidate gene to enhance wheat drought stress tolerance by genetic engineering.

ThIPK2是克隆自嗜盐菌的肌醇多磷酸激酶基因，参与多种细胞过程。干旱是小麦（Triticum aestivum L.）生产中的主要限制因素。本研究调查了ThIPK2基因的应用是否可以提高转基因小麦的抗旱性。密码子优化的ThIPK2基因通过农杆菌介导的转化被转移到普通小麦中，该转化由组成型玉米泛素启动子或来自拟南芥的胁迫诱导的rd29A启动子驱动。分子表征证实了转化植物中外源基因的存在。与对照植物相比，ThIPK2在小麦中的转基因表达显着提高了其耐旱性。与野生型（WT）植物相比，转基因植物在干旱胁迫条件下显示出更高的种子发芽率，更好的根系发育，更高的相对水含量（RWC）和总可溶性糖含量以及更少的细胞膜损伤。表达谱显示使用不同启动子的不同表达模式。密码子优化的ThIPK2基因是通过基因工程增强小麦干旱胁迫耐受性的候选基因。