Biotech Updates

Overexpression of LOV KELCH PROTEIN 2 Increases Dehydration Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

April 22, 2015

A research team led by Gakushuin University's Tomohiro Kiyosue recently observed in a study that overexpression of the LOV KELCH PROTEIN 2 (LKP2), which controls the circadian rhythm and flowering time in plants, enhanced dehydration tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Analysis showed that expression of four dehydration-inducible genes was higher even in the absence of drought stress in the LKP2-overexpressing Arabidopsis. Under dehydration stress, expression of DREB2B and RD29, two dehydration-inducible genes, peaked faster in transgenic plants. After dehydration and rehydration, LKP2-overexpressing plants also developed more leaves and roots and had higher survival than control plants.

These results suggest that the drought tolerance of LKP2-overexpressing plants is caused by upregulation of DREB1A–C/CBF1–3 and their downstream targets. These results suggest that LKP2 can be used for further research on flowering time control as well as dehydration tolerance.

For more information, read the full article on Springer Link.