Xiao-Fei Wang

Functional characterization of the MdFLZ2 gene in drought and salt stress tolerance in apple.

Drought and salt stress are significant environmental limitations that severely constrain plant growth and productivity, therefore, enhancing stress tolerance is a key goal in crop improvement. The plant-specific FCS-like zinc finger (FLZ) proteins have been identified as important regulators of stress adaptation. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide characterization of the FLZ gene family in apple and functionally characterized MdFLZ2. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that MdFLZ2 was differentially expressed across various tissues and transcriptionally induced by both drought and salt stress. Subcellular localization assays demonstrated that the MdFLZ2 protein is localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The overexpression of MdFLZ2 in apple calli, Arabidopsis and tomato conferred increased resistance to drought and salt stress. In addition, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays confirmed that MdFLZ2 interacted with MdSnRK1.1, and similar interactions were also detected between other MdFLZ family members and MdSnRK1.1. Collectively, our findings suggest MdFLZ2 as a positive regulator of drought and salt tolerance and highlight its potential to serve as a genetic resource for abiotic stress improvement.

Functional identification of the bHLH transcription factor MdSAT1 in response to Zn stress in apple

The role of transcription factor MdGeBP3 in Modulating cold stress tolerance and anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple.

Cold stress is a major environmental constraint limiting crop productivity and quality. Here, we identify a transcription factor MdGeBP3 in apple, which responds to cold stress at both transcriptional and post-translational levels. Functional analysis revealed that overexpression of MdGeBP3 significantly enhances cold tolerance in both apple calli and the model plant Arabidopsis, and the transcript levels of cold-responsive genes were induced in MdGeBP3 overexpression plants. Furthermore, MdGeBP3 was found to participate in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Overexpression of MdGeBP3 in Arabidopsis and apple calli promoted anthocyanin accumulation. Moreover, temporary overexpression of MdGeBP3 in both apple leaves and fruit peel led to increased anthocyanin accumulation, while silencing the MdGeBP3 gene via a virus-induced method decreased anthocyanin content. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that MdGeBP3 acts as a positive regulator of cold tolerance and anthocyanin biosynthesis, providing new insights into the coordination between stress responses and secondary metabolism in apple.