Overexpression of GlyI and GlyII genes in transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) plants confers salt tolerance by decreasing oxidative stress

Mol Biol Rep. 2013 Apr;40(4):3281-90. doi: 10.1007/s11033-012-2403-4. Epub 2013 Jan 3.

Abstract

The glyoxalase system plays an important role in various physiological processes in plants, including salt stress tolerance. We report the effects of overexpressing glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II genes in transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) cv. Ailsa Craig. Stable expression of both transgenes was detected in the transformed tomato plants under salt stress. The transgenic lines overexpressing GlyI and GlyII under a high NaCl concentration (800 mM) showed reduced lipid peroxidation and the production of H2O2 in leaf tissues. A greater decrease in the chlorophyll a+b content in wild-type (WT) compared with transgenic lines was also observed. These results suggest that the over expression of two genes, GlyI and GlyII, may enhance salt stress tolerance by decreasing oxidative stress in transformed tomato plants. This work will help our understanding of the putative role of the glyoxalase system in the tolerance to abiotic stress in tomato plants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Droughts
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / drug effects
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase / genetics
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Plant Leaves / enzymology*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / enzymology*
  • Salt Tolerance / genetics*
  • Sodium Chloride / pharmacology
  • Solanum lycopersicum / genetics
  • Solanum lycopersicum / physiology
  • Stress, Physiological
  • Thiolester Hydrolases / genetics
  • Thiolester Hydrolases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Sodium Chloride
  • Thiolester Hydrolases
  • hydroxyacylglutathione hydrolase
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase