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MpDGK2, a Novel Diacylglycerol Kinase from Malus prunifolia, Confers Drought Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis

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Abstract

Phospholipase D (PLD)– and phospholipase C (PLC)/diacylglycerol kinase (DGK)–coupled pathways produce phosphatidic acid (PA), which is an important signal transduction process in animal and plant cells. DGK is the second largest PA-generating factor after PLD in both biotic and abiotic stress responses, which could phosphorylate diacylglycerol (DG) to form PA. Here, we assessed the biological role of MpDGK2, a DGK gene isolated from Malus prunifolia that is upregulated by water deficit, oxidation, or exogenous abscisic acid. Its heterotopic expression is helpful to improve the drought resistance of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana. Changes in electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll concentration, and malondialdehyde accumulation showed a positive response. MpDGK2 had effect on stomatal closure under water withholding condition. In addition, under stress conditions, MpDGK2 significantly regulates the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is manifested in the fluctuation of H2O2 concentration and the change of antioxidant enzyme activity. In summary, these results indicate that MpDGK2 affects the growth and tolerance of Arabidopsis under drought stress. Part of its function may be due to its effects on stomatal behavior and reactive oxygen species accumulation, thereby improving drought tolerance.

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Abbreviations

ABA:

abscisic acid

APX:

ascorbate peroxidase

CAT:

catalase

DG:

diacylglycerol

DGK:

diacylglycerol kinase

H2O2 :

hydrogen peroxide

MDA:

malondialdehyde

ORF:

open reading frame

PA:

phosphatidic acid

PLC:

phospholipase C

PLD:

phospholipase D

POD:

peroxidase

PPIs:

polyphosphoinositides

qRT-PCR:

quantitative real-time PCR

ROS:

reactive oxygen species

SEM:

scanning electron microscopy

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Mr. Zhengwei Ma for the management of the potted apple plants.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31572108).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dezhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dezhou, 253015, Shandong, People’s Republic of China

    Yanxiao Tan

  2. State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China

    Yanxiao Tan

  3. College of Horticulture, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, 071001, Hebei, People’s Republic of China

    Li Wang

Authors
  1. Yanxiao Tan
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  2. Li Wang
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Contributions

Y. X. Tan performed and analyzed most of the experiments in this study, with assistance from L. Wang. All authors discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yanxiao Tan.

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Key Message

MpDGK2 affects the growth and tolerance of drought-stressed Arabidopsis plants. Its function may be due, in part, to its influence on stomatal behavior and H2O2 homeostasis to drought tolerance.

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Tan, Y., Wang, L. MpDGK2, a Novel Diacylglycerol Kinase from Malus prunifolia, Confers Drought Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis. Plant Mol Biol Rep 38, 452–460 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11105-020-01209-y

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