Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Underlying Mechanism of Salicylic Acid-Alleviated Drought Stress in Kenaf (<i>Hibiscus cannabinus</i> L.)

Salicylic acid (SA) plays a crucial role in alleviating drought stress in plants. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying exogenous SA on the drought tolerance of kenaf. In this study, the kenaf seedlings were subjected to physiological and transcriptomic analysis under co...

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Main Authors: Hui Zhang, Guofeng Xu, Samavia Mubeen, Rujian Wei, Muzammal Rehman, Shan Cao, Caijin Wang, Jiao Yue, Jiao Pan, Gang Jin, Ru Li, Tao Chen, Peng Chen
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Life
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/281
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author Hui Zhang
Guofeng Xu
Samavia Mubeen
Rujian Wei
Muzammal Rehman
Shan Cao
Caijin Wang
Jiao Yue
Jiao Pan
Gang Jin
Ru Li
Tao Chen
Peng Chen
author_facet Hui Zhang
Guofeng Xu
Samavia Mubeen
Rujian Wei
Muzammal Rehman
Shan Cao
Caijin Wang
Jiao Yue
Jiao Pan
Gang Jin
Ru Li
Tao Chen
Peng Chen
author_sort Hui Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Salicylic acid (SA) plays a crucial role in alleviating drought stress in plants. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying exogenous SA on the drought tolerance of kenaf. In this study, the kenaf seedlings were subjected to physiological and transcriptomic analysis under control (CK), moderate drought stress (D), and moderate drought stress with 1 mM SA (D_SA). Under drought conditions, SA significantly improved the plant biomass, leaf area, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, and CAT), soluble sugars, starch and proline contents, and photosynthesis, while the contents of MDA, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, and O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> were significantly decreased. A total of 3430 (1118 up-regulated and 2312 down-regulated) genes were differentially expressed in group D, compared with group CK. At the same time, 92 (56 up-regulated and 36 down-regulated) genes were differentially expressed in group D_SA compared with group D. GO and KEGG analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in various metabolic pathways, such as carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides. Results showed that the genes related to the antioxidant system, sucrose and starch synthesis, osmoregulation, ABA signal regulation, and differentially expressed transcription factors, such as <i>AP2/ERF4</i> and <i>NF-Y1</i>, were involved in the increased drought tolerance of kenaf under exogenous SA. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS)-mediated silencing of salicylate binding protein 2 gene (<i>HcSABP2</i>) decreased the drought resistance of kenaf seedlings. Thus, the present study provides valuable insights into the regulatory mechanism of exogenous SA in alleviating drought stress in kenaf.
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spelling doaj-art-a677f3db4e414ce7bd5dbb68e9f56c7e2025-08-20T03:12:00ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-02-0115228110.3390/life15020281Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Underlying Mechanism of Salicylic Acid-Alleviated Drought Stress in Kenaf (<i>Hibiscus cannabinus</i> L.)Hui Zhang0Guofeng Xu1Samavia Mubeen2Rujian Wei3Muzammal Rehman4Shan Cao5Caijin Wang6Jiao Yue7Jiao Pan8Gang Jin9Ru Li10Tao Chen11Peng Chen12Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Breeding and Germplasm Innovation, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Breeding and Germplasm Innovation, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Breeding and Germplasm Innovation, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Breeding and Germplasm Innovation, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Breeding and Germplasm Innovation, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Breeding and Germplasm Innovation, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Breeding and Germplasm Innovation, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Breeding and Germplasm Innovation, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Breeding and Germplasm Innovation, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaGuangxi Subtropical Crops Research Institute, Nanning 530001, ChinaState Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaGuangxi Subtropical Crops Research Institute, Nanning 530001, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agric-Products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Breeding and Germplasm Innovation, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaSalicylic acid (SA) plays a crucial role in alleviating drought stress in plants. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying exogenous SA on the drought tolerance of kenaf. In this study, the kenaf seedlings were subjected to physiological and transcriptomic analysis under control (CK), moderate drought stress (D), and moderate drought stress with 1 mM SA (D_SA). Under drought conditions, SA significantly improved the plant biomass, leaf area, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, and CAT), soluble sugars, starch and proline contents, and photosynthesis, while the contents of MDA, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, and O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> were significantly decreased. A total of 3430 (1118 up-regulated and 2312 down-regulated) genes were differentially expressed in group D, compared with group CK. At the same time, 92 (56 up-regulated and 36 down-regulated) genes were differentially expressed in group D_SA compared with group D. GO and KEGG analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in various metabolic pathways, such as carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides. Results showed that the genes related to the antioxidant system, sucrose and starch synthesis, osmoregulation, ABA signal regulation, and differentially expressed transcription factors, such as <i>AP2/ERF4</i> and <i>NF-Y1</i>, were involved in the increased drought tolerance of kenaf under exogenous SA. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS)-mediated silencing of salicylate binding protein 2 gene (<i>HcSABP2</i>) decreased the drought resistance of kenaf seedlings. Thus, the present study provides valuable insights into the regulatory mechanism of exogenous SA in alleviating drought stress in kenaf.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/281kenafdrought stresssalicylic acidtranscriptomeVIGS
spellingShingle Hui Zhang
Guofeng Xu
Samavia Mubeen
Rujian Wei
Muzammal Rehman
Shan Cao
Caijin Wang
Jiao Yue
Jiao Pan
Gang Jin
Ru Li
Tao Chen
Peng Chen
Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Underlying Mechanism of Salicylic Acid-Alleviated Drought Stress in Kenaf (<i>Hibiscus cannabinus</i> L.)
Life
kenaf
drought stress
salicylic acid
transcriptome
VIGS
title Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Underlying Mechanism of Salicylic Acid-Alleviated Drought Stress in Kenaf (<i>Hibiscus cannabinus</i> L.)
title_full Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Underlying Mechanism of Salicylic Acid-Alleviated Drought Stress in Kenaf (<i>Hibiscus cannabinus</i> L.)
title_fullStr Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Underlying Mechanism of Salicylic Acid-Alleviated Drought Stress in Kenaf (<i>Hibiscus cannabinus</i> L.)
title_full_unstemmed Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Underlying Mechanism of Salicylic Acid-Alleviated Drought Stress in Kenaf (<i>Hibiscus cannabinus</i> L.)
title_short Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Underlying Mechanism of Salicylic Acid-Alleviated Drought Stress in Kenaf (<i>Hibiscus cannabinus</i> L.)
title_sort physiological and transcriptome analysis reveal the underlying mechanism of salicylic acid alleviated drought stress in kenaf i hibiscus cannabinus i l
topic kenaf
drought stress
salicylic acid
transcriptome
VIGS
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/281
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