Biotech Updates

SlMAPK1 Overexpression Enhances Drought Tolerance in Tomato

March 28, 2018

Drought stress is one of the most destructive environmental factors that affect plant growth and production. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) are important signaling pathways that are involved in both biotic and abiotic stresses. Liu Wang and his colleagues from China Agricultural University studied SlMAPK1 and its role in tomato.

The team developed transgenic tomato plants overexpressing SlMAPK1 to investigate the role it plays in drought tolerance. Compared with wildtype plants, the SlMAPK1-overexpressing lines exhibited less wilting and less cell membrane damage. The transgenic plants also accumulated less hydrogen peroxide, showed higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, and had an elevated expression of stress-related genes.

These results suggest that SlMAPK1 plays a positive role in plant response to drought stress by activating antioxidant enzymes, and controlling the expression of stress-related genes.

For more information, read the article in Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture.