GhWRKY1bD improves drought tolerance by co-regulation of ABA, ROS, and proline homeostasis in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

• Published in: Industrial crops and products 2024-11, Vol.220, p.119179, Article 119179
• Main Authors: Zhao, Panpan, Zhao, Miao, Gao, Xianyuan, Shan, Yi, Li, Fangjun, Tian, Xiaoli, Li, Zhaohu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ABA; Cotton; Drought stress; ROS; Secondary metabolites; WRKY transcription factor
• ISSN: 0926-6690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.119179

Most of the global cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) production areas are located in regions with limited access to water, and drought represents a significant factor that hinders cotton production. The essential endeavor of uncovering mechanisms for drought resistance is crucial for enhancing cotton yields. However, our understanding of the regulatory networks responding to drought in cotton is currently quite limited. In our study, we identified a drought tolerance gene, GhWRKY1bD, from the previously established cotton cDNA library in a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vector. Notably, its expression was induced by drought stress. GhWRKY1bD is a type I WRKY transcription activator predominantly expressed in the nucleus. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that GhWRKY1bD orchestrates drought response networks through at least three regulatory mechanisms associated with drought response: the pathways associated with the synthesis and signal pathway of abscisic acid (ABA), the pathways governing the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the accumulation of secondary metabolites, such as proline. Furthermore, the overexpression of GhWRKY1bD in Arabidopsis bestowed heightened drought tolerance on the plant. Our studies indicate that GhWRKY1bD positively regulates drought resistance, and manipulating GhWRKY1bD targets holds the promise of improving drought tolerance in multiple species. •GhWRKY1bD is a drought tolerance gene identified from cotton VIGS-cDNA library.•GhWRKY1bD localizes to the nucleus as a transcription activator.•Overexpression of GhWRKY1bD enhances drought tolerance in cotton and Arabidopsis.•GhWRKY1bD improves drought tolerance by regulating ABA, ROS, and proline homeostasis.