AUTHOR=Liu Hao , Wang Xiaoyu , Yang Wenbo , Liu Wenyan , Wang Yanfang , Wang Qin , Zhao Yanhong 

TITLE=Identification of Whirly transcription factors in Triticeae species and functional analysis of TaWHY1-7D in response to osmotic stress

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1297228

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1297228

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Osmotic stress poses a threat to the production and quality of crops. <italic>Whirly</italic> transcription factors have been investigated to enhance stress tolerance. In this study, a total of 18 <italic>Whirly</italic> genes were identified from six Triticeae species, which were classified into <italic>Whirly1</italic> and <italic>Whirly2</italic>. The exon–intron structure, conserved motif, chromosomal location, collinearity, and regulatory network of <italic>Whirly</italic> genes were also analyzed. Real-time PCR results indicated that <italic>TaWHY1</italic> genes exhibited higher expression levels in leaf sheaths and leaves during the seedling stage, while <italic>TaWHY2</italic> genes were predominantly expressed in roots. Under PEG stress, the expression levels of <italic>TaWHY1-7A</italic>, <italic>TaWHY2-6A</italic>, <italic>TaWHY2-6B</italic>, and <italic>TaWHY2-6D</italic> were increased, <italic>TaWHY1-7D</italic> was reduced, and <italic>TaWHY1-4A</italic> had no significant change. All <italic>TaWHY</italic> genes were significantly up-regulated in response to NaCl stress treatment. In addition, TaWHY1-7A and TaWHY1-7D mainly enhanced the tolerance to oxidative stress in yeast cells. TaWHY2s mainly improved NaCl stress tolerance and were sensitive to oxidative stress in yeast cells. All TaWHYs slightly improved the yeast tolerance to <sc>d</sc>-sorbitol stress. The heterologous expression of <italic>TaWHY1-7D</italic> greatly improved drought and salt tolerance in transgenic <italic>Arabidopsis</italic>. In conclusion, these results provide the foundation for further functional study of <italic>Whirly</italic> genes aimed at improving osmotic stress tolerance in wheat.</p>