A Moss 2-Oxoglutarate/Fe(II)-Dependent Dioxygenases (2-ODD) Gene of Flavonoids Biosynthesis Positively Regulates Plants Abiotic Stress Tolerance

Abstract

Flavonoids, the largest group of polyphenolic secondary metabolites present in all land plants, play essential roles in many biological processes and defense against abiotic stresses. In the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, flavones synthase I (FNSI), flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), flavonol synthase (FLS), and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) all belong to 2-oxoglutarate/Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenases (2-ODDs) family, which catalyzes the critical oxidative reactions to form different flavonoid subgroups. Here, a novel 2-ODD gene was cloned from Antarctic moss Pohlia nutans (Pn2-ODD1) and its functions were investigated both in two model plants, Physcomitrella patens and Arabidopsis thaliana. Heterologous expression of Pn2-ODD1 increased the accumulation of anthocyanins and flavonol in Arabidopsis. Meanwhile, the transgenic P. patens and Arabidopsis with expressing Pn2-ODD1 exhibited enhanced tolerance to salinity and drought stresses, with larger gametophyte sizes, better seed germination, and longer root growth. Heterologous expression of Pn2-ODD1 in Arabidopsis also conferred the tolerance to UV-B radiation and oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant capacity. Therefore, we showed that Pn2-ODD1 participated in the accumulation of anthocyanins and flavonol in transgenic plants, and regulated the tolerance to abiotic stresses in plants, contributing to the adaptation of P. nutans to the polar environment.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Rosa roxburghii Autophagy-Related Genes in Response to Top-Rot Disease

“…This is a highly conserved N-terminal region of proteins with 2-oxoglutarate/Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenase activity and is widely distributed in nature [ 54 ]. It can promote the accumulation of flavonoids and positively regulate plant abiotic stress tolerance [ 55 ]. Perhaps the response of RrATG18e to C. fructicola infection in R. roxburghii fruits is closely related to this special conserved domain.…”

The Classification, Molecular Structure and Biological Biosynthesis of Flavonoids, and Their Roles in Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

“…The overexpression of the CHS gene has been shown to enhances resistance to high levels of light in Arabidopsis leaves by increasing the content of anthocyanins [219]. The overexpression of the MnFNSI gene from Morus notabilis in tobacco has been shown to increase the content of flavones in leaves and enhance their tolerance to UV-B stress [293]. The heterologous expression of Pn2-ODD1 in Arabidopsis has also awarded plants tolerance to UV-B radiation and oxidative stress by increasing their antioxidant capacity [294].…”