Overexpression ofCaAPXInduces Orchestrated Reactive Oxygen Scavenging and Enhances Cold and Heat Tolerances in Tobacco

Abstract

Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) acts indispensably in synthesizing L-ascorbate (AsA) which is pivotal to plant stress tolerance by detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS). Enhanced activity of APX has been shown to be a key step for genetic engineering of improving plant tolerance. However it needs a deeper understanding on the maintenance of cellular ROS homeostasis in response to stress. In this study, we identified and characterized anAPX(CaAPX) gene fromCamellia azalea. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed thatCaAPXwas expressed in all tissues and peaked in immature green fruits; the expression levels were significantly upregulated upon cold and hot stresses. Transgenic plants displayed marked enhancements of tolerance under both cold and heat treatments, and plant growth was correlated withCaAPXexpression levels. Furthermore, we monitored the activities of several ROS-scavenging enzymes includingCu/Zn-SOD,CAT,DHAR, andMDHAR, and we showed that stress tolerance was synchronized with elevated activities of ROS-scavenging. Moreover, gene expression analysis of ROS-scavenging enzymes revealed a role ofCaAPXto orchestrate ROS signaling in response to temperature stresses. Overall, this study presents a comprehensive characterization of cellular response related toCaAPXexpression and provides insights to breed crops with high temperature tolerances.