Overexpression of the FERONIA receptor kinase MdMRLK2 confers apple drought tolerance by regulating energy metabolism and free amino acids production

Abstract

Drought is a major abiotic stress limiting the growth and production of apple trees worldwide. The receptor-like kinase FERONIA is involved in plant growth, development, and stress responses, however, the function of FERONIA in apple under drought stress remains unclear. Here, the FERONIA receptor kinase gene MdMRLK2 from apple (Malus domestica) was shown to encode a plasma membrane-localized transmembrane protein and was significantly induced by abscisic acid and drought treatments. 35S::MdMRLK2 apple plants showed less photosystem damage and higher photosynthetic rates compared with wild-type (WT) plants, after seven days withholding water. 35S::MdMRLK2 apple plants also had enhanced energy levels, activated caspase activity and more free amino acids, than the WT, under drought conditions. By performing yeast two-hybrid screening, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and MdCYS4, a member of cystatin, were identified as MdMRLK2 interaction partners. Moreover, under drought conditions, the 35S::MdMRLK2 apple plants were characterized by higher abscisic acid (ABA) content. Overall, these findings demonstrated that MdMRLK2 regulates apple drought tolerance, probably via regulating levels of energetic matters, free amino acids and ABA.

Overexpression of the FERONIA receptor kinase MdMRLK2 enhances apple cold tolerance

“…To protect apple from freezing damage, it is important to understand better the mechanisms by which it responds to cold stress. In previous studies, we showed that MdMRLK2 ‐OE enhanced apple drought resistance (Jing et al., 2023) but compromised Valsa canker resistance (Jing et al., 2022). In this study, we discovered that MdMRLK2 ‐OE also positively affects apple cold tolerance.…”

“…Leaves were placed in dark conditions for 20 min, and a FluorCam FC800 system (Photon Systems Instruments) was used to photograph the chlorophyll fluorescence (Jing et al., 2023). The minimum fluorescence ( F 0 ), maximum fluorescence ( F m ), maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII photochemistry ( F v /F m ), actual photosynthetic efficiency of PSII Y ( II ), quantum yield of non‐regulated energy dissipation Y ( NO ), and quantum yield of regulated energy dissipation Y ( NPQ ) were measured using a Dual‐PAM‐100 chlorophyll fluorometer.…”

Genome-Wide Association Study of Rice Diversity Panel Reveals New QTLs for Tolerance to Water Deficit Under the Egyptian Conditions

“…was found to be located within LOC_Os03g03290 gene model which encodes Receptor-like protein kinase FERONIA-like. The receptor-like kinase FERONIA was previously found to be tightly involved in plant development, plant growth, responses to various stresses (Jing et al 2023 ). In apple plants, the FERONIA receptor kinase was associated with induced abscisic acid under different drought treatments.…”

“…In apple plants, the FERONIA receptor kinase was associated with induced abscisic acid under different drought treatments. The activity of receptor-like protein kinase FERONIA-like was associated with less photosystem damage and higher photosynthetic rates under drought conditions (Jing et al 2023 ). Also, Receptor-like kinase OsSIK1 was found to significantly improve drought and salt stress tolerance in rice through the activation of the antioxidative system (Ouyang et al 2010 ).…”

Cell Wall Integrity Signaling in Fruit Ripening

“…In the Arabidopsis mutant feronia ( fer ), the pollen tube fails to arrest and thus continues to grow inside the female gametophyte without rupture for the release of sperms [ 17 , 18 ]. Besides the role in reproduction, accumulating evidence suggests that FER plays critical roles in a diversity of biological processes, such as root growth [ 135 , 136 , 137 ], immune responses [ 21 , 138 , 139 , 140 , 141 , 142 ], environmental adaptations [ 143 , 144 , 145 , 146 ], etc.…”