Enhanced Stress Tolerance in Rice Through Overexpression of a Chimeric Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (OEGD)

Crop productivity is severely constrained by abiotic and biotic stresses, necessitating innovative strategies to enhance stress resilience. Glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) is a central metabolite in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, playing crucial roles in stress responses. In this study, we engineered...

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Main Authors: Jinhong Wu, Meiyao Chen, Fangwen Yang, Jing Han, Xiaosong Ma, Tianfei Li, Hongyan Liu, Bin Liang, Shunwu Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/11/1731
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author Jinhong Wu
Meiyao Chen
Fangwen Yang
Jing Han
Xiaosong Ma
Tianfei Li
Hongyan Liu
Bin Liang
Shunwu Yu
author_facet Jinhong Wu
Meiyao Chen
Fangwen Yang
Jing Han
Xiaosong Ma
Tianfei Li
Hongyan Liu
Bin Liang
Shunwu Yu
author_sort Jinhong Wu
collection DOAJ
description Crop productivity is severely constrained by abiotic and biotic stresses, necessitating innovative strategies to enhance stress resilience. Glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) is a central metabolite in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, playing crucial roles in stress responses. In this study, we engineered a novel <i>glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase</i> (<i>GPDH</i>) gene, designated <i>OEGD</i>, by fusing the N-terminal NAD-binding domain of rice <i>OsGPDH1</i> with the feedback-resistant C-terminal catalytic domain of <i>Escherichia coli gpsA</i>. Overexpression of <i>OEGD</i> in rice enhanced tolerance to drought, phosphorus deficiency, high temperature, and cadmium (Cd<sup>2+</sup>) stresses, while also improving plant growth and yield under drought stress at the adult stage. Notably, the accumulation of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) and activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT) were significantly elevated in the transgenic plants following osmotic stimuli, and fatty acid profiles were altered, favoring stress adaptation. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that <i>OEGD</i> modulates cell wall biogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, and lipid metabolism pathways, with minimal disruption to core G3P metabolic genes. These findings highlight the potential of OEGD as a valuable genetic resource for improving stress resistance in rice.
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spelling doaj-art-b21f97db2d6f48108b88c743b71cd4a52025-08-20T03:11:32ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-06-011411173110.3390/plants14111731Enhanced Stress Tolerance in Rice Through Overexpression of a Chimeric Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (OEGD)Jinhong Wu0Meiyao Chen1Fangwen Yang2Jing Han3Xiaosong Ma4Tianfei Li5Hongyan Liu6Bin Liang7Shunwu Yu8Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai 201106, ChinaShanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai 201106, ChinaShanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai 201106, ChinaShanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai 201106, ChinaShanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai 201106, ChinaShanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai 201106, ChinaShanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai 201106, ChinaShanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai 201106, ChinaShanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, Shanghai 201106, ChinaCrop productivity is severely constrained by abiotic and biotic stresses, necessitating innovative strategies to enhance stress resilience. Glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) is a central metabolite in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, playing crucial roles in stress responses. In this study, we engineered a novel <i>glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase</i> (<i>GPDH</i>) gene, designated <i>OEGD</i>, by fusing the N-terminal NAD-binding domain of rice <i>OsGPDH1</i> with the feedback-resistant C-terminal catalytic domain of <i>Escherichia coli gpsA</i>. Overexpression of <i>OEGD</i> in rice enhanced tolerance to drought, phosphorus deficiency, high temperature, and cadmium (Cd<sup>2+</sup>) stresses, while also improving plant growth and yield under drought stress at the adult stage. Notably, the accumulation of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) and activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT) were significantly elevated in the transgenic plants following osmotic stimuli, and fatty acid profiles were altered, favoring stress adaptation. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that <i>OEGD</i> modulates cell wall biogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, and lipid metabolism pathways, with minimal disruption to core G3P metabolic genes. These findings highlight the potential of OEGD as a valuable genetic resource for improving stress resistance in rice.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/11/1731glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenasechimeric gene<i>oryza sativa</i><i>Escherichia coli</i>
spellingShingle Jinhong Wu
Meiyao Chen
Fangwen Yang
Jing Han
Xiaosong Ma
Tianfei Li
Hongyan Liu
Bin Liang
Shunwu Yu
Enhanced Stress Tolerance in Rice Through Overexpression of a Chimeric Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (OEGD)
Plants
glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
chimeric gene
<i>oryza sativa</i>
<i>Escherichia coli</i>
title Enhanced Stress Tolerance in Rice Through Overexpression of a Chimeric Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (OEGD)
title_full Enhanced Stress Tolerance in Rice Through Overexpression of a Chimeric Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (OEGD)
title_fullStr Enhanced Stress Tolerance in Rice Through Overexpression of a Chimeric Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (OEGD)
title_full_unstemmed Enhanced Stress Tolerance in Rice Through Overexpression of a Chimeric Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (OEGD)
title_short Enhanced Stress Tolerance in Rice Through Overexpression of a Chimeric Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (OEGD)
title_sort enhanced stress tolerance in rice through overexpression of a chimeric glycerol 3 phosphate dehydrogenase oegd
topic glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
chimeric gene
<i>oryza sativa</i>
<i>Escherichia coli</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/11/1731
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