Stress-responsive expression of the WOX transcription factor family and the role of LcWOX5 in drought adaptation of Liriodendron sino-americanum

CAO Jun, HAO Zhaodong, LU Lu, PAN Longying, CHEN Haiqiang, ZHANG Jinfang, LUO Shuijin, Liu Meili, CHEN Jinhui

Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition） ›› 0

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南京林业大学学报（自然科学版）
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Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition） ›› 0 DOI: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202507017

Stress-responsive expression of the WOX transcription factor family and the role of LcWOX5 in drought adaptation of Liriodendron sino-americanum

  • CAO Jun1, HAO Zhaodong1, LU Lu1, PAN Longying2, CHEN Haiqiang3, ZHANG Jinfang4, LUO Shuijin5, Liu Meili6, CHEN Jinhui1,*
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Abstract

【Objective】To characterize the stress-responsive expression patterns of the WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene family in Liriodendron sino-americanum under cold, drought and salt stresses, and to elucidate the role of LcWOX5 in drought tolerance.【Method】Regenerated plants were subjected to cold (4 °C), drought (15% PEG6000) and salt (200 mmol/L NaCl) treatments. Relative water content (RWC), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline levels and the activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were quantified. Temporal expression profiles of LcWOXs were analyzed using transcriptome data combined with RT-qPCR. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout lines of LcWOX5 were generated to assess physiological responses to drought.【Result】All stresses reduced RWC and increased MDA accumulation. Cold stress markedly enhanced CAT activity and proline accumulation. Drought and salt stresses broadly activated the antioxidant enzyme system, with increases in CAT and SOD activities; POD responses were time- and stress-dependent. Most LcWOXs showed progressive upregulation under drought and salt stress, whereas only LcWOX13 and LcWOX14 were significantly induced in stem tissue under cold stress. LcWOX5 was strongly induced in roots by drought and salt, and its knockout reduced drought tolerance, as evidenced by lower RWC, higher MDA and decreased POD and SOD activities.【Conclusion】The LcWOX gene family contributes to multi-stress adaptation in Liriodendron sino-americanum. LcWOX5 likely acts as a positive regulator of drought tolerance by modulating antioxidant defense homeostasis. These findings provide a foundation for functional genomics and molecular improvement of woody plants.

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Liriodendron / WOX gene family / abiotic stress / oxidative stress

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CAO Jun, HAO Zhaodong, LU Lu, PAN Longying, CHEN Haiqiang, ZHANG Jinfang, LUO Shuijin, Liu Meili, CHEN Jinhui. Stress-responsive expression of the WOX transcription factor family and the role of LcWOX5 in drought adaptation of Liriodendron sino-americanum[J]. Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition）. 0 https://doi.org/10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202507017

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