Reduction of GIGANTEA Expression Enhances Salt Tolerance in Polish Canola and Arabidopsis

The GIGANTEA (GI) gene plays an important role in photoperiodic flowering and has been shown to contribute to multiple environmental stress responses.

Jin A. Kim of the National Academy of Agricultural Science in South Korea, together with other researchers from various institutions and universities, reported how the GI gene in polish canola (Brassica rapa), BrGI, is similar to Arabidopsis GI in terms of expression pattern and function. BrGI, when expressed in the Arabidopsis GI-loss-of-function mutant, rescued its late-flowering phenotype, indicating that BrG1 also has a role in photoperiodic flowering. Meanwhile, RNAi-mediated suppression of GI expression in Arabidopsis and in polish canola increased salt stress tolerance in both plants.

These results reveal that the molecular functions of GI in Arabidopsis are also evident in polish canola. Manipulation of gene expression through RNAi and transgenic overexpression of BrG1 could enhance tolerance of polish canola to abiotic stresses.

For more on this study, read the full article in Plant Cell Reports.