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MdASMT9 -mediated melatonin biosynthesis enhances basal thermotolerance in apple plants
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  • 赵 里,
  • Tengteng Gao,
  • Danni Zhang,
  • Shuo Xu,
  • Xumei Jia,
  • Xiaomin Liu,
  • Kexin Tan,
  • Yi Zhou,
  • Zhijun Zhang,
  • Fengwang Ma
赵 里
Northwest A&F University College of Horticulture

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Tengteng Gao
Northwest A&F University College of Horticulture
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Danni Zhang
Northwest A&F University College of Horticulture
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Shuo Xu
Northwest A&F University College of Horticulture
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Xumei Jia
Northwest A&F University College of Horticulture
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Xiaomin Liu
Northwest A&F University College of Horticulture
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Kexin Tan
Northwest A&F University College of Horticulture
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Yi Zhou
Northwest A&F University College of Horticulture
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Zhijun Zhang
Northwest A&F University College of Horticulture
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Fengwang Ma
Northwest A&F University College of Horticulture
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Abstract

High temperature negatively impacts the yield and quality of fruit crops. Exogenous melatonin (MT) application has shown the capability to enhance heat tolerance, but the response of endogenous MT to heat stress, particularly in perennial fruit trees, remains elusive. This study investigated the effects of high temperatures on transgenic apple plants overexpressing the MT biosynthetic gene N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase 9 ( MdASMT9). Endogenous MT protected transgenic plants from heat stress, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increasing soluble carbohydrates and amino acids levels. MdASMT9-overexpressing plants also maintained higher photosynthetic activity by protecting the chloroplasts from damage. Transcriptome sequencing indicates that MdASMT9 overexpression promoting the expression of HSFA1d, HSFA2-like, and HSFA9b, and inhibiting the transcription of HSFB1 and HSFB2b. Application of MT and overexpression of MdASMT9 reduced abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation through promoting MdWRKY33-mediated transcriptional inhibition of MdNCED1 and MdNCED3, thus promoting stomatal opening for better heat dissipation. Furthermore, melatonin enhanced autophagic activity through promoting MdWRKY33-mediated transcriptional enhancement of MdATG18a under heat stress . These findings provide new sight into the regulation of endogenous MT and its role in improving heat tolerance in perennial fruit trees.
04 Sep 2023Submitted to Plant, Cell & Environment
04 Sep 2023Submission Checks Completed
04 Sep 2023Assigned to Editor
15 Sep 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Sep 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
10 Oct 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor