Characterization and Functional Validation of Tobacco PLC Delta for Abiotic Stress Tolerance

摘要

The role of plant phospholipase C-mediated signaling has been implicated in various phases of plant growth and development. In this study, we report on the isolation and characterization of phospholipase C from tobacco and demonstrate that transcripts of phospholipase C are up-regulated in responses to drought and salt stress. These responses are likely by abscisic acid (ABA). Transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing the phospholipase C protein were found to tolerate higher levels of drought and also salinity stress. This tolerance could be mediated by the regulation of genes downstream to phospholipase mediated signaling. As a demonstration, when tested the transgenic plants showed higher transcript of heat shock factor NtHSF2, heat shock protein HSP70-3 and an AP2 domain transcription factor. Also the transgenic plants showed higher accumulation of sodium in older leaves compared to the young leaves. The present report is the first to demonstrate the role of phospholipase C in salinity stress tolerance.