Vasculature regulator CsIVP modulates transport and high-temperature
resistance in cucumber
Abstract
Crop plants experience various abiotic stresses that reduce yield and
quality. Although several adaptative physiological and defense responses
to single stress have been identified, the behavior and mechanisms of
plant response to multiple stresses remain underexamined. Herein, we
determined that the leaf and vascular changes in CsIVP-RNAi cucumber
plants can enhance resistance to nitrogen deficiency and
high-temperature stress. CsIVP negatively regulated high nitrate
affinity transporters (NRT2.1, NRT2.5) and reallocation transporters
(NRT1.7, NRT1.9, NRT1.12) under low nitrogen stress. Furthermore,
CsIVP-RNAi plants have high survival rate with low heat injury level
under high temperature condition. CsIVP mediated key high-temperature
regulators, including HSFs, HSPs, DREB2C, MBF1b, and WRKY33, in response
to high temperature. Altogether, these results show that CsIVP
integrates innate programming of plant development, nutrient transport,
and high-temperature resistance, providing a potentially valuable target
for breeding nutrient-efficient and heat-resistant crops. Identification
or creation of elite alleles conferring optimal fruit production,
nutrient use efficiency, and high-temperature resistance will bring
tremendous scientific and economic benefits.