Generating new strategies to improve plant performance and yield in crop plants becomes increasingly relevant with ongoing and predicted global climate changes. E3 ligases that function as key regulators within the ubiquitin proteasome pathway often are involved in abiotic stress responses, development, and metabolism in plants. The aim of this research was to transiently downregulate an E3 ligase that uses BTB/POZ-MATH proteins as substrate adaptors in a tissue-specific manner. Interfering with the E3 ligase at the seedling stage and in developing seeds results in increased salt-stress tolerance and elevated fatty acid levels, respectively. This novel approach can help to improve specific traits in crop plants to maintain sustainable agriculture.
Keywords: BPM; Brassica; CRL3; E3 ligase; PEST; canola; cullin; fatty acids; proteasome; storage; stress; yield.