Aquaporin proteins are very important for water transport across the plasma membrane. In this study, the plasma membrane intrinsic protein PIP2;7 cloned from Saussurea involucrata was overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. Transgenic lines showed rapid growth, with increased leaf numbers and leaf sizes, due to high rates of photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance. Moreover, SiPIP2;7 conferred drought resistance in Arabidopsis by improving water use efficiency and intracellular osmotic pressure via a decrease in the stomatal density and increases in intracellular Cl⁻. These phenotypes were attributed to the effects of SiPIP2;7 on the relative expression levels of target genes related to the stomatal development and ion transport. Moreover, SiPIP2;7 gene improve drought resistance and fruit yield of tomato. These results indicated that the SiPIP2;7 gene is effective for breeding new varieties with high drought resistance and yield.

水通道蛋白对于跨质膜的水运输非常重要。在这项研究中，从雪莲中克隆的质膜内在蛋白PIP2;7在拟南芥中过表达。由于光合作用、蒸腾作用和气孔导度的高速率，转基因品系显示出快速生长，叶片数量和叶片尺寸增加。此外，SiPIP2;7通过降低气孔密度和增加细胞内 Cl ^-来提高水分利用效率和细胞内渗透压，从而赋予拟南芥抗旱性。这些表型归因于SiPIP2的影响；7与气孔发育和离子转运相关的靶基因的相对表达水平。此外，SiPIP2;7基因提高了番茄的抗旱性和果实产量。这些结果表明SiPIP2;7基因可以有效地培育出高抗旱和高产的新品种。