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Key message <p><i>MdNF-YB14</i> plays a critical role in enhancing drought stress tolerance by activating ROS- scavenging and stress-responsive genes.</p> Abstract <p>The nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) plays critical roles in maintaining plant growth, development, and stress tolerance. However, systematic research on the <i>NF-Y</i> gene family in apple remains insufficient. Here, a total of 47 <i>MdNF-Y</i> genes were identified in the apple genome, comprising 11 <i>MdNF-YAs</i>, 25 <i>MdNF-YBs</i>, and 11 <i>MdNF-YCs</i>. Analysis of cis-elements revealed that 30 out of 47 apple <i>NF-Y</i> gene promoters harbored one or more drought-responsive cis-elements, suggesting the potential involvement of <i>NF-Y</i> genes in plant drought tolerance. Among the 39 differentially expressed genes, 14 <i>NF-Y</i> genes were highly expressed in response to drought based on RNA-seq data. Notably, <i>MdNF-YB14</i> showed significantly higher expression after 4&#xa0;days of drought stress as confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis. Heterologous overexpression of <i>MdNF-YB14</i> in transgenic <i>Arabidopsis</i> plants resulted in a higher germination rate, fresh weight, and root length under PEG treatment when compared with the wild-type plants. Similarly, overexpression of <i>MdNF-YB14</i> positively enhanced drought tolerance in apple, which was associated with improved growth due to reduced electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>), and superoxide radicals (O<sub>2</sub><sup>–</sup>). Furthermore, the transcript levels of genes related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and stress response were also significantly up-regulated in <i>MdNF-YB14</i> transgenic apple plants. Collectively, <i>MdNF-YB14</i> plays a crucial role in enhancing drought tolerance and can serve as a promising candidate gene for improving plant drought tolerance through biotechnological approaches.</p>

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MdNF-YB14, an apple NF-Y transcription factor, acts as a positive regulator of drought tolerance

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月19日

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  • Xiang Gao,
  • Hongtao Wang,
  • Penghao Yuan,
  • Lulu Yu,
  • Bowen Liang,
  • Tuanhui Bai

摘要

Key message

MdNF-YB14 plays a critical role in enhancing drought stress tolerance by activating ROS- scavenging and stress-responsive genes.

Abstract

The nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) plays critical roles in maintaining plant growth, development, and stress tolerance. However, systematic research on the NF-Y gene family in apple remains insufficient. Here, a total of 47 MdNF-Y genes were identified in the apple genome, comprising 11 MdNF-YAs, 25 MdNF-YBs, and 11 MdNF-YCs. Analysis of cis-elements revealed that 30 out of 47 apple NF-Y gene promoters harbored one or more drought-responsive cis-elements, suggesting the potential involvement of NF-Y genes in plant drought tolerance. Among the 39 differentially expressed genes, 14 NF-Y genes were highly expressed in response to drought based on RNA-seq data. Notably, MdNF-YB14 showed significantly higher expression after 4 days of drought stress as confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis. Heterologous overexpression of MdNF-YB14 in transgenic Arabidopsis plants resulted in a higher germination rate, fresh weight, and root length under PEG treatment when compared with the wild-type plants. Similarly, overexpression of MdNF-YB14 positively enhanced drought tolerance in apple, which was associated with improved growth due to reduced electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and superoxide radicals (O2–). Furthermore, the transcript levels of genes related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and stress response were also significantly up-regulated in MdNF-YB14 transgenic apple plants. Collectively, MdNF-YB14 plays a crucial role in enhancing drought tolerance and can serve as a promising candidate gene for improving plant drought tolerance through biotechnological approaches.