Biotech Updates

Gene from Peanut Alleviates Salinity and Drought Stress in Tobacco

March 4, 2015

Abiotic stress often results in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that causes cellular damage and inhibits photosynthesis. However, the effects of ROS are countered by antioxidant systems, with superoxide dismutase (SOD) being the first enzyme involved in detoxification. Neera Bhalla Sarin of Jahwarlal Nehru University in India led a research team and isolated the AhCuZnSOD gene from the salt tolerant cell lines of peanut (Arachis hypogaea).

The role of AhCuZnSOD in alleviation of abiotic stress was evaluated through its overexpression in transgenic tobacco plants. The transgenic tobacco had improved tolerance to salinity and dehydration stress with the transgenic plants surviving longer under water deficiency and salinity stress and showed improved recovery after rehydration.

Overexpression of AhCuZnSOD gene may play an important role in alleviating oxidative injury caused by abiotic stresses.

Read the full study on Springer Link.