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Differences in Proteins Synthesized in Needles of Unshaded and Shaded Pinus ponderosa var Scopulorum Seedlings during Prolonged Drought.

Proteins were radiolabeled and extracted from needles of Pinus ponderosa var scopulorum (Dougl. ex Laws.) seedlings progressively drought-stressed for about 1 month. A set of novel, low molecular weight proteins was detected in fluorographs of two-dimensional gels when relative water content of needles fell below 70%. Their synthesis was undetectable in the fully recovered seedlings within 48 hours after rewatering. In similarly stressed seedlings that were shaded to 10% full light, the low molecular weight polypeptides were not detected or appeared at very low levels. The shaded seedlings, in which drought tolerance was reduced, did not recover upon termination of the drought. The results suggest that protein synthesis induced by water deficit in drought-tolerant seedlings may contribute to resisting the effects of cellular dehydration.

Journal Article↗

Diel Patterns of Water Potential Components for the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Plant Opuntia ficus-indica when Well-Watered or Droughted.

Under well-watered conditions, chlorenchyma acidity in cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica increased substantially at night, fully accounting for the 0.26-megapascal nocturnal increase in osmotic pressure in the outer 2 millimeters. Osmotic pressure in the inner part of the chlorenchyma and in the water-storage parenchyma did not change significantly over 24-hour periods. Three months of drought decreased nocturnal acid accumulation by 73% and essentially abolished transpiration; also, 27% of the chlorenchyma water and 61% of the parenchyma water was lost during such drought, but the average tissue osmotic pressure was little affected. Turgor pressure was maintained in the chlorenchyma after 3 months of drought, although it decreased sevenfold in the water-storage parenchyma compared with the well-watered condition. Moreover, the nocturnal increases in turgor pressure of about 0.08 megapascal in the outer part of the chlorenchyma was also unchanged by such drought. The water potential magnitudes favored water movement from the parenchyma to the chlorenchyma at the end of the night and in the reverse direction during the late afternoon. Experiments with tritiated water support this pattern of water movement, which is also in agreement with predictions based on electric-circuit analog models for Crassulacean acid metabolism plants.

Journal Article↗

Heat Shock Proteins in Two Lines of Zea mays L. That Differ in Drought and Heat Resistance.

Synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the leaves of a drought- and heat-resistant (line ZPBL 1304), and a drought- and heat-sensitive (line ZPL 389) line of maize (Zea mays L.) was studied under two environmental stress treatments: (a) soil drying and high temperature and (b) high temperature. In the first treatment 13-day-old plants were exposed to 7-day soil drying followed by high temperature stress (45 degrees C), and in the second treatment 20-day-old plants were exposed to high temperature stress (45 degrees C). Second leaves were labeled with [(35)S]methionine. During the labeling period line ZPBL 1304 showed no signs of leaf dehydration under soil drying and high temperature stress conditions. In contrast, line ZPL 389 was dehydrated 23%, as determined by relative water content. Incorporation of [(35)S]methionine into protein was greater in the resistant than in the sensitive line in both treatments. The pattern of synthesis of HSPs in the two lines was similar in treatments 1 and 2. Both lines synthesized a high molecular mass set and a low molecular mass set of HSPs. Proteins from both sets from both lines of maize appeared similar to each other, with respect to the molecular mass. Heated plants of the drought- and heat-resistant line ZPBL 1304 synthesized a band of HSP(s) of approximately 45 kilodaltons which was not found in heated plants of the drought and heat sensitive line ZPL 389. This is the first report on qualitative intraspecific difference in the synthesis of HSPs in maize.

Journal Article↗

Lipoxygenase activity and proline accumulation in leaves and roots of olive trees in response to drought stress.

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is commonly grown in the Mediterranean basin and is able to resist severe and prolonged drought. Levels of proline (PRO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the lipoxygenase (LOX) activity were determined in 2-year-old olive plants (cv. 'Coratina') grown in environmental conditions characterized by high temperatures and high photosynthetic photon flux density levels and gradually subjected to a controlled water deficit for 20 days. Before and during the experimental period, leaf and root samples were collected and analysed for PRO and MDA. The levels of PRO increased in parallel with the severity of drought stress in both leaves and roots. Significant increases of LOX activity and MDA content were also observed during the progressive increment of drought stress in both leaf and root tissues. Measurements of transpiration and photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and substomatal CO(2) concentration were carried out during the experiment. The accumulation of PRO indicates a possible role of PRO in drought tolerance. The increases of MDA content and LOX activity show that the water deficit is associated with lipid peroxidation mechanisms.

Journal Article↗

Disruption of the cellulose synthase gene, AtCesA8/IRX1, enhances drought and osmotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Two allelic Arabidopsis mutants, leaf wilting 2-1 and leaf wilting 2-2 (lew2-1 and lew2-2 ), were isolated in a screen for plants with altered drought stress responses. The mutants were more tolerant to drought stress as well as to NaCl, mannitol and other osmotic stresses. lew2 mutant plants accumulated more abscisic acid (ABA), proline and soluble sugars than the wild type. The expression of a stress-inducible marker gene RD29A, a proline synthesis-related gene P5CS (pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase) and an ABA synthesis-related gene SDR1 (alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase) was higher in lew2 than in the wild type. Map-based cloning revealed that the lew2 mutants are new alleles of the AtCesA8/IRX1 gene which encodes a subunit of a cellulose synthesis complex. Our results suggest that cellulose synthesis is important for drought and osmotic stress responses including drought induction of gene expression.

Abscisic Acid↗

Interactions of drought and shade effects on seedlings of four Quercus species: physiological and structural leaf responses.

Here, we investigated the physiological and structural leaf responses of seedlings of two evergreen and two deciduous Quercus species, grown in a glasshouse and subjected to contrasted conditions of light (low, medium and high irradiance) and water (continuous watering vs 2-months drought). The impact of drought on photosynthetic rate was strongest in high irradiance, while the impact of shade on photosynthetic rate was strongest with high water supply, contradicting the hypothesis of allocation trade-off. Multivariate causal models were evaluated using d-sep method. The model that best fitted the dataset proposed that the variation in specific leaf area affects photosynthetic rate and leaf nitrogen concentration, and this trait determines stomatal conductance, which also affects photosynthetic rate. Shade conditions seemed to ameliorate, or at least not aggravate, the drought impact on oak seedlings, therefore, the drought response on leaf performance depended on the light environment.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗

Increased susceptibility and reduced phytoalexin accumulation in drought-stressed peanut kernels challenged with Aspergillus flavus.

Three genotypes of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), with ICG numbers 221, 1104, and 1326, were grown in three replicate plots and drought stressed during the last 58 days before harvest by withholding irrigation water. Within each plot there were eight levels of stress ranging from 1.1 to 25.9 cm of water. Kernels harvested from the plots were hydrated to 20% moisture and challenged with Aspergillus flavus. Fungal colonization, aflatoxin content, and phytoalexin accumulation were measured. Fungal colonization of non-drought-stressed kernels virtually ceased by 3 days after inoculation, when the phytoalexin concentration exceeded 50 micrograms/g (fresh weight) of kernels, but the aflatoxin concentration continued to rise exponentially for an additional day. When fungal colonization, aflatoxin production, and phytoalexin accumulation were measured 3 days after drought-stressed material was challenged, the following relationships were apparent. Fungal colonization was inversely related to water supply (r varied from -0.848 to -0.904, according to genotype), as was aflatoxin production (r varied from -0.876 to -0.912, according to genotype); the phytoalexin concentration was correlated with water supply when this exceeded 11 cm (r varied from 0.696 to 0.917, according to genotype). The results are discussed in terms of the critical role played by drought stress in predisposing peanuts to infection by A. flavus and the role of the impaired phytoalexin response in mediating this increased susceptibility.

Aflatoxins↗

Expression and molecular cloning of drought-induced genes in the wild tomato Lycopersicon chilense.

Protein synthesis and translatable mRNA population changes induced during water stress were studied in leaves of a drought-resistant wild relative of tomato, Lycopersicon chilense, using one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Under our experimental conditions, water deficit did not significantly affect total protein synthesis capacity. However, it induced biphasic synthesis of a new set of proteins. These newly synthesized proteins resumed to control levels upon rehydration of the plants. Certain drought-induced proteins also accumulated in leaves subjected to heat shock (39 degrees C) or exogenous abscisic acid (ABA, 1 mM) treatments. A cDNA library was constructed using poly(A)+ RNA from leaves of plants exposed to drought stress for 4 days. Differential screening of the library identified three groups of clones corresponding to drought- and ABA-induced mRNAs. Northern blot analysis showed that the genes of selected clones respond differently to the different environmental stresses. Our data clearly demonstrate that water stress alters gene expression in L. chilense plants resulting in the synthesis of new proteins, of which several respond to high temperature stress and others to an osmotic effect. These responses are in part modulated by ABA.

Abscisic Acid↗

Drought-induced amplification of Saint Louis encephalitis virus, Florida.

We used a dynamic hydrology model to simulate water table depth (WTD) and quantify the relationship between Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) transmission and hydrologic conditions in Indian River County, Florida, from 1986 through 1991, a period with an SLEV epidemic. Virus transmission followed periods of modeled drought (specifically low WTDs 12 to 17 weeks before virus transmission, followed by a rising of the water table 1 to 2 weeks before virus transmission). Further evidence from collections of Culex nigripalpus (the major mosquito vector of SLEV in Florida) suggests that during extended spring droughts vector mosquitoes and nestling, juvenile, and adult wild birds congregate in selected refuges, facilitating epizootic amplification of SLEV. When the drought ends and habitat availability increases, the SLEV-infected Cx. nigripalpus and wild birds disperse, initiating an SLEV transmission cycle. These findings demonstrate a mechanism by which drought facilitates the amplification of SLEV and its subsequent transmission to humans.

Animals↗

Drought stress, peroxidase activity and formaldehyde metabolism in bean plants.

In our investigations we have studied the changes of total peroxidase and isozyme activities, peroxidase isozyme pattern and the level of endogenous formaldehyde and trigonelline. We have examined the effect of drought stress resulted by Carbowax treatment (2, 5, 7, 10%) of two different snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes [drought tolerant (T) and drought sensitive (S)]. There were no detectable differences in the peroxidase isozyme patterns but the total peroxidase activity was increased. We have found similar steep enhancement in the peroxidase activities of one of three peroxidase fractions while the increase in the other isozyme fractions was not so significant in the two genotypes. Increasing peroxidase activities and changes in the amount of endogenous formaldehyde and trigonelline were detectable with increasing Carbowax treatment in both genotypes, but in different ways. According to our experiments, the total peroxidase and some isozyme activity correlated with the concentration of endogenous formaldehyde and trigonelline, playing an important role during drought stress.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Alterations in the genome of wheat seedlings grown under drought stress and the effect of gibberellic acid on these alterations.

The changes in the amount of nuclear, chloroplast and mithocondrial nucleic acids of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings in relation with drought stress and the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) on these changes were investigated by spectrophotometric method. It was found that drought stress caused decrease in the amount of nucleic acids. In the seedlings to which GA3 was applied following drought stress, increase in the amount of nuclear nucleic acids (especially in the amount of labile DNA, which is the active portion) was determined. Similar results were observed in the amount of nucleic acids of mitochondria and chloroplasts. All these results show that drought stress caused quantitative changes in the genetic substrate of wheat seedling cells and GA3 application alleviated this effect by activating the synthesis of nucleic acids.

Genome, Plant↗

[Molecular response of plant to drought stress].

Drought stress is a bottleneck factor for plant growth and development. Synthesis and accumulation of osmoprotectants, up-regulation of gene expression implicated in repair of desiccation injury, free radical-scavenging enzymes and late-embryogenesis-abundant(LEA) protein could increase the drought tolerance of plant. There are at least for pathways of signal transduction in plant subjected to drought stress, two are abscisic acid(ABA)-dependent, and two are ABA-independent. In the signal transduction of plants encountered drought stress, two-component His protein kinase could act as an osmosensor, and Ca2+ and inositol triphosphate(IP3) could be the second messenger for dehydration signaling. Transgenic plant is an excellent system in evaluating function of encoded protein.

Abscisic Acid↗

[A comparative study on drought-resistance of four plant species in kerqin sandy land].

The water physio-ecological index and photosynthetic rate of four plant species, Caragana microphylla, Amorpha fruticosa, Artemish halodendron, and Lespedeza bicolor, in kerqin sandy land were determined. The results showed that C. microphylla has the lowest leaf water potential and the highest water-maintainance, bound water/free water ratio, and water utilization efficiency. Its drought-resistance is the strongest. Amorpha fruticosa was contrary to Caragana microphylla, and its drought-resistance was the weakest. Artemish halodendrona had a high leaf water potential, but its water-maintainance, bound water/free water ratio, and water utilization efficiency were very high. Its drought-resistance was stronger. Lespedeza bicolar had a lower leaf water potential and water-maintainance, and a usual bound water/free water ratio, and water utilization efficiency. Its drought-resistance was stronger than Amorpha fruticosa's, but weaker than Artemish halodendron's.

Caragana↗

[Effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought stress on Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica seed germination on sandy land].

With introduced sandy land Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) seeds as test material, this paper studied the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought stress on their germination. The results showed that PEG could retard the germination of stressed seeds, and the germination rate, germination index, and germination potential were all decreased with increasing PEG concentration. The seeds treated with 30% PEG (about -1.20 MPa water potential) could not germinate at all throughout the experiment period, suggesting that 30% PEG or -1.20 MPa water potential was the threshold for the germination of Mongolian pine seeds. Under 10% PEG stress (about -0.20 MPa water potential), the lengths of radicle and hypocotyl were shorter, illustrating their growth be more sensitive to PEG-simulated drought stress, while the radicle/hypocotyl ratio was increased with increasing PEG concentration, indicating that Mongolian pine seeds had a stronger resistance to drought stress after germination. Drought stress might be a possible cause that inhibited the natural regeneration of Mongolian pine on sandy land.

Desert Climate↗

Response of antioxidative enzymes of Abies firma seedlings under chronic acid fog exposure and/or drought treatment.

To understand the oxidative stress conditions of momi fir (Abies firma Sieb. et Zucc.) seedlings under acid fog exposure and/or drought stress, we assayed the activities of antioxidative enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), in the seedlings. We found that SOD and APX activities were not affected by the stress conditions, but drought stress stimulated CAT activity irrespective of acid fog exposure. This suggests the production of a large amount of hydrogen peroxide, which is one of the substances involved in the signal transduction pathway for stomatal closure. However, we previously observed sufficient stomatal closure under drought stress and insufficient stomatal closure under combined acid fog exposure and drought stress. This inconsistency indicates that acid fog exposure affects the signal transduction pathway from the production of hydrogen peroxide to stomatal closure in momi fir seedlings.

Abies↗

Genomic context-dependent roles of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in regulating gene expression during rice drought response.

DNA methylation (5-methylcytosine, 5mC) is a key epigenetic regulator of genome stability and stress adaptation in plants. However, the functional role of its oxidative derivative, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), remains poorly understood in plant systems, largely due to its low abundance and unresolved enzymatic origins. Here, we integrated ACE-seq (APOBEC-coupled epigenetic sequencing) with an optimized Tn5mC-seq (transposase-based library preparation in the context of whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, WGBS) approach to generate the first single-base resolution map of 5hmC in rice (Oryza sativa), unveiling its stress-responsive dynamics and regulatory interplay with 5mC during drought adaptation. Genome-wide profiling revealed a basal 5hmC level of ~0.03 (defined as the ratio of C/(C + T) at each site), with drought triggering a pronounced reduction in 5hmC abundance and locus number, followed by incomplete recovery post-rehydration. Unlike 5mC, which accumulates in heterochromatin, 5hmC preferentially localized to euchromatic regions, including promoters, exons, and intergenic elements, and exhibited enrichment at ABA-responsive transcription factors (e.g., OsATAF1, bZIP50). Strikingly, drought induced an antagonistic relationship between 5hmC and 5mC, with the latter increasing globally to reinforce transposon silencing. Multi-omics analyses demonstrated that 5hmC depletion in promoters correlated with transcriptional downregulation, while its accumulation in gene bodies (notably 5'-UTRs) suppressed stress-responsive genes. These findings highlight 5hmC's bifunctional regulatory capacity, contingent on genomic context, and its role in balancing transcriptional plasticity with genome stability during stress. Our work establishes 5hmC as a dynamic epigenetic mark in plant environmental adaptation and provides a foundation for leveraging DNA hydroxymethylation in crop resilience engineering.

Oryza↗

Induced expression of DREB transcriptional factor and study on its physiological effects of drought tolerance in transgenic wheat.

Expression vector pBAC128F, which carries DREB transcriptional factor gene driven by drought inducing promoter rd29B and bar gene driven by CaMV 35S promoter and maize Adh1 gene first intron, was transferred into the explants of immature inflorescence and immature embryos of hexaploid winter wheat cv. 8901, 5-98, 99-92 and 104 by particle bombardment. More than 70 resistant transgenic plants were obtained. Genomic PCR and RNA dot blotting analyses showed that DREB gene had been integrated into wheat genome of the transgenic plants (T0 and T1) and was well expressed in offspring seed of different transgenic lines. The content of proline in leaves and seeds of T2 transgenic lines was analyzed. Among 16 tested transgenic lines, 10 transgenic lines exhibited more than two fold of proline level in leaves as compared with CK plants. Under drought condition, after stopping water for 15 days the leaves of transgenic lines were still green, while CK were faded. After rewatering for 10 days, the leaves of transgenic lines maintained their green, while all CK plants were dead. Our research suggested that introducing a novel DREB transcriptional factor into wheat is an effective way to improve its drought-tolerance ability.

Abscisic Acid↗

Identification of quantitative trait loci controlling drought tolerance at seedling stage in Chinese Dongxiang common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.).

Common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) is the ancestor of cultivated rice (O. sativa L.), which has a greater genetic diversity and important traits that remain to be employed in cultivated rice. In this study, a set of introgression lines (BC4F5 and/or BC4F6) carrying various introgressed segments from common wild rice, collected from Dongxiang county, Jiangxi Province, China, in the background of an Indica (O. sativa L. ssp. indica) cultivar, Guichao 2, was used. A total of 12 drought-related quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified by investigating drought tolerance of introgression lines under 30% PEG treatment at the young seedlings stage. Of these QTLs, the alleles of 4 QTLs on chromosome 2, 6 and 12 from Dongxiang common wild rice were responsible for increased drought tolerance of the introgression lines. In particular, a QTL qSDT12-2, near RM17 on chromosome 12, was consistently detected in different replications, and expressed stably under PEG stress throughout the study. It was also found that the QTLs located on different chromosomes might express at different stages.

China↗