AUTHOR=Zhang Huijuan , Zheng Dewei , Yin Longfei , Song Fengming , Jiang Ming 

TITLE=Functional Analysis of OsMED16 and OsMED25 in Response to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Rice

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.652453

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2021.652453

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Mediator complex is a multiprotein complex that regulates RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription. Moreover, it functions in several signaling pathways, including those involved in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. We used virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) to study the functions of two genes, namely <italic>OsMED16</italic> and <italic>OsMED25</italic> in response to biotic and abiotic stresses in rice. Both genes were differentially induced by <italic>Magnaporthe grisea</italic> (<italic>M. grisea</italic>), the causative agent of blast disease, hormone treatment, and abiotic stress. We found that both BMV: OsMED16- and BMV: OsMED25-infiltrated seedlings reduced the resistance to <italic>M. grisea</italic> by regulating the accumulation of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and expression of defense-related genes. Furthermore, BMV: OsMED16-infiltrated seedlings decreased the tolerance to cold by increasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reducing the expression of cold-responsive genes.</p>