The TaMYB55–TaSnRK1α1–TabZIP9 module confers heat stress tolerance in wheat
Abstract
Heat stress poses a severe threat to global crop yields and food security. Here, we demonstrate that TaSnRK1α1, the α-catalytic subunit of sucrose non-fermenting-1-related kinase 1, serves as a pivotal regulator that confers thermotolerance and enhances grain weight in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). The findings reveal that TaMYB55 directly binds to the TaSnRK1α1 promoter to activate its expression, which positively contributes to heat tolerance in wheat. An A-to-G substitution in the TaSnRK1α1 promoter enhances the binding affinity of TaMYB55, which cosegregates with wheat thermotolerant phenotypes. In addition, we show that TaSnRK1α1 interacts with and phosphorylates the transcription factor TabZIP9, which subsequently promotes TabZIP9 degradation. Genetic analyses confirm that TaSnRK1α1 functions upstream of TabZIP9, and loss or gain-of-function of TabZIP9 significantly alters thermotolerance in wheat by modulating reactive oxygen species homeostasis and scavenging capacity. Together, our findings shed light on the importance of the TaMYB55–TaSnRK1α1–TabZIP9 signaling module in the regulation of heat tolerance, providing practical strategies for engineering climate-tolerant crops.
Article Details
Journal Info
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Authors (15)
Wen Yang
Renhan Li
State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Production of Wheat-Maize Double Cropping, Frontiers Scientific Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Agronomy, China Agricultural University
Man Feng
State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Production of Wheat-Maize Double Cropping, Frontiers Scientific Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Agronomy, China Agricultural University
Zhe Chen
Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Weiwei Guo
Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine
Yumei Zhang
Huiru Peng
State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Production of Wheat-Maize Double Cropping, Frontiers Scientific Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Agronomy, China Agricultural University
Yingyin Yao
State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Production of Wheat-Maize Double Cropping, Frontiers Scientific Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Agronomy, China Agricultural University
Zhaorong Hu
State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Production of Wheat-Maize Double Cropping, Frontiers Scientific Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Agronomy, China Agricultural University
Feng Qin
Ive De Smet
Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University
Mingyi Bai
Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Life Sciences, Shandong University
Zhongfu Ni
Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Key Laboratory of crop Heterosis and Utilization, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University
Qixin Sun
State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Production of Wheat-Maize Double Cropping, Frontiers Scientific Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Department of Agronomy, China Agricultural University
Mingming Xin
Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, Key Laboratory of crop Heterosis and Utilization, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, China Agricultural University