Identification of the bZIP gene family in Populus alba × Populus glandulosa '84K' and functional analysis of PagbZIP36

He Dongyan, TanShuxian, ChengZhen, XieJianbo

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.1000-2006.202603020

Identification of the bZIP gene family in Populus alba × Populus glandulosa '84K' and functional analysis of PagbZIP36

  • He Dongyan2, TanShuxian2, ChengZhen2, XieJianbo1,2,*
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Abstract

【Objective】Soil salt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses that severely inhibit plant growth, development and productivity. Elucidating the molecular regulatory mechanisms of plant responses to salt stress is of great theoretical and practical significance for cultivating stress-resistant forest trees and promoting genetic improvement of forest species. In this study, 84K poplar (Populus alba × Populus glandulosa ‘84K’), a widely used tree model for genetic research, was used as the experimental material. We systematically identified and analyzed the structural and evolutionary characteristics of the bZIP transcription factor gene family, and further explored the biological function and molecular regulatory mechanism of PagbZIP36 in response to salt stress, aiming to provide reliable gene resources and theoretical support for forest tree resistance molecular breeding. 【Method】Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was performed to characterize the gene structure, phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs and promoter cis-elements of the bZIP gene family. The expression pattern of PagbZIP36 under salt treatment was detected, and its salt tolerance function was identified through phenotypic observation and physiological index determination in transgenic poplar. In addition, DAP-seq combined with molecular biological experiments was used to verify the regulatory relationship between PagbZIP36 and its downstream target gene PagGolS2 during salt stress response.【Result】A total of 190 bZIP family members were identified from the 84K poplar genome, which were divided into 13 distinct subfamilies. PagbZIP36, a member of the S subfamily, contained 70.1% salt stress-related cis-acting elements in its promoter region and was significantly induced by salt stress. Overexpression of PagbZIP36 significantly enhanced salt tolerance in transgenic ‘84K’ poplar. Further mechanism analysis indicated that this transcription factor regulates the expression of the downstream functional gene PagGolS2, enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging efficiency, maintains cell membrane stability, effectively alleviates oxidative damage caused by high salt, and ultimately improves plant stress resistance. 【Conclusion】Members of the bZIP S subfamily exert pivotal functions in plant salt stress response and tolerance. Among these regulators, PagbZIP36 enhances reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity and maintains cellular membrane stability by targeting and modulating the expression of PagGolS2, thereby conferring significantly elevated salt tolerance in forest trees. This study provides critical candidate genes and robust theoretical foundations for molecular breeding programs aimed at improving stress resistance in woody plants.

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Forest tree genetics and breeding / Salt stress response / bZIP gene family / Populus alba × P. glandulosa clone ‘84K’

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He Dongyan, TanShuxian, ChengZhen, XieJianbo. Identification of the bZIP gene family in Populus alba × Populus glandulosa '84K' and functional analysis of PagbZIP36[J]. Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition）. 0 https://doi.org/10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202603020

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