AUTHOR=Zhu Xi , Duan Huimin , Jin Hui , Chen Shu , Chen Zhuo , Shao Shunwei , Tang Jinghua , Zhang Yu 

TITLE=Heat responsive gene StGATA2 functions in plant growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant defense under heat stress conditions

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1227526

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1227526

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Backgrounds</title><p>Potato is sensitive to heat stress particularly during plant seedling growth. However, limited studies have characterized the expression pattern of the <italic>StGATA</italic> family genes under heat stress and lacked validation of its function in potato plants.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Potato plants were cultivated at 30°C and 35°C to induce heat stress responses. qRT-PCR was carried out to characterize the expression pattern of <italic>StGATA</italic> family genes in potato plants subjected to heat stress. <italic>StGATA2</italic> loss-of-function and gain-of-function plants were established. Morphological phenotypes and growth were indicated by plant height and mass. Photosynthesis and transpiration were suggested by stomatal aperture, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance. Biochemical and genetic responses were indicated by enzyme activity and mRNA expression of genes encoding CAT, SOD, and POD, and contents of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, MDA, and proline.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>The expression patterns of <italic>StGATA</italic> family genes were altered in response to heat stress. StGATA2 protein located in the nucleus. <italic>StGATA2</italic> is implicated in regulating plant height and weight of potato plants in response to heat stresses, especially acute heat stress. <italic>StGATA2</italic> over-expression promoted photosynthesis while inhibited transpiration under heat stress. <italic>StGATA2</italic> overexpression induced biochemical responses of potato plant against heat stress by regulating the contents of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, MDA and proline and the activity of CAT, SOD and POD. <italic>StGATA2</italic> overexpression caused genetic responses (CAT, SOD and POD) of potato plant against heat stress.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>Our data indicated that <italic>StGATA2</italic> could enhance the ability of potato plants to resist heat stress-induced damages, which may provide an effective strategy to engineer potato plants for better adaptability to adverse heat stress conditions.</p></sec>