The basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor gene, OsbHLH38, plays a key role in controlling rice salt tolerance

• DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13489
• Publication Date: 2023-03-29T13:43:47Z
• Authors: Fengping Du; Yinxiao Wang; Juan Wang; Yingbo Li; Yue Zhang; Xiuqin Zhao; Jianlong Xu; Zhikang Li; Tianyong Zhao; Wensheng Wang; Binying Fu
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; Oryza; Germination; Salt Tolerance; Plants, Genetically Modified; Droughts; Plant Growth Regulators; Stress, Physiological; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors; Genome-Wide Association Study; Plant Proteins; Transcription Factors; Abscisic Acid

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is crucial for seed germination and abiotic stress tolerance. However, the association between ABA sensitivity tolerance remains largely unknown. In this study, 436 rice accessions were assessed their to during germination. considerable diversity in among germplasm was primarily reflected by differentiation Xian (indica) Geng (japonica) subspecies upland-Geng lowland-Geng ecotypes. most sensitive ABA. Genome-wide analyses identified four major quantitative trait loci containing 21 candidate genes associated with of which a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor gene, OsbHLH38, important sensitivity. Comprehensive functional using knockout overexpression transgenic lines revealed that OsbHLH38 expression responsive multiple stresses. Overexpression increased seedling salt tolerance, while stress. A salt-responsive factor, OsDREB2A, interacted directly regulated OsbHLH38. Moreover, affected mediating large set transporter phytohormones, genes, many downstream diverse functions, including photosynthesis, redox homeostasis, responsiveness. These results demonstrated key regulator