TY  - JOUR
AU  - Wang, Na
AU  - Chen, Jun
AU  - Gao, Yuan
AU  - Zhou, Yongbin
AU  - Chen, Ming
AU  - Xu, Zhaoshi
AU  - Fang, Zhengwu
AU  - Ma, Youzhi
PY  - 2023
TI  - Genomic analysis of isopentenyltransferase genes and functional characterization of TaIPT8 indicates positive effects of cytokinins on drought tolerance in wheat
JO  - The Crop Journal
SN  - 2095-5421
SP  - 46
EP  - 56
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
AB  - Cytokinins (CKs) function in plant development and during stress responses, but their role in drought tolerance in wheat is unknown. In the present study, 24 isopentenyltransferase (IPT) genes, encoding rate-limiting enzymes in CK biosynthesis were identified in the wheat genome. The chromosomal locations and structures of the genes, protein properties, and phylogenetic relationships were characterized. ATP/ADP TaIPT genes showed tissue-specific expression. TaIPT2, TaIPT7, and TaIPT8 expression was rapidly induced by 0.5–1 h drought treatments, which decreased to low levels after 2 h drought treatment, as did most other TaIPT genes. TaIPT8-5a/5b/5d triple mutants showed decreased levels of tZ-type CK under normal and drought conditions and reduced drought tolerance, which, however, did not manifest as phenotype alterations. By contrast, transgenic wheat plants with drought-induced TaIPT8 showed increased drought tolerance. Our study provides a foundation for further investigation of TaIPT genes and novel insights into the role of CKs in the drought response of wheat.
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cj.2022.04.010
DO  - 10.1016/j.cj.2022.04.010